Austin FC to win
There was just one goal scored in the two games played between these two sides last season, but things are expected to get a little out of trend this time around.
Austin are very likely to be the winners on Sunday night as they have made a better start to the season.
Austin FC host the Seattle Sounders at the Q2 Stadium on Sunday night in MLS. The home side are the favorites going into the game after a solid start to the season. The Texan side, who made their MLS debut last season, are looking for their first win over the Sounders.
The contest could be a tight one as Austin have tended to finish off their half-chances, but the Sounders are good at coming back from a losing position. Neither side is expected to dominate possession as both teams like keeping the ball in control and building up from the back.
Austin FC have scored at least three goals in their last three home matches in the MLS – a streak that could continue on Sunday.
Austin FC made a great start to the season with big wins over FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami in the first two matches. However, things got tricky in their first away game of the season as Portland Timbers stunned them with a 1-0 win.
They kicked off their season with a dominant 5-0 win over FC Cincinnati. Cecilio Domínguez opened the scoring inside the first 100 seconds of the game, before Alexander Ring and Sebastián Driussi made it 3-0 by halftime. Domínguez added another to his tally just after the hour mark to seal the win long before Alec Kann’s own goal in injury time.
Austin replicated the performance against Inter Miami as well, but this time it was Driussi – who is now joint top-scorer in the league with three others – and Ethan Finlay who picked up braces. Phil Neville’s Inter Miami side could not do much to trouble the home side, and despite Leonardo Campana getting a goal back, they were unable to create any big chances throughout the game.
When things looked good for Austin, Portland Timbers handed them a reality check. Bill Tuiloma scored midway through the second half, and Portlan then sat back to defend throughout the game. Josh Wolff’s Austin side failed to get a single shot on target, despite their 16 attempts at goal.
The issue for Austin FC remains individual errors, something they need to resolve quickly. They are committing a lot of mistakes around their defensive box and giving away a few too many free-kicks in dangerous positions.
Wolff’s side has dominated possession in all games and made the most number of chances this season. He will be looking forward to more of that on Sunday when they face the Sounders, who will be dealing with a bit of fatigue as they play Club Leon in the CONCACAF Champions League on Thursday night.
Austin FC have won 6 of their last seven home matches in the league. They have also managed to take the lead before half time in their last 4 games at the Q2 stadium.
The Seattle Sounders did not enjoy a good pre-season with two draws and a loss in their friendlies. Their start to the season reflected that form with losses to Nashville SC at home and another one at Real Salt Lake.
Interestingly, the Sounders have been on another level in the CONCACAF Champions League. They defeated FC Motagua 5-0 at home and went on to beat Club Leon 3-0 two weeks later.
The much-needed win against the Liga MX side saw Brian Schmetzer’s men gain confidence, and they managed to end their short, but hurtful, losing streak in the MLS after that result. Sounders defeated LA Galaxy 3-2 at home last weekend despite going behind early in the game.
Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández put the away side into an early lead in the 6th minute, but goals from Jordan Morris and Fredy Montero saw the home side go ahead before halftime. Douglas Costa, who has joined Galaxy on loan from Juventus, got his first goal for the MLS side soon after the restart to level things up for Galaxy.
It looked like the Sounders would have to wait for another weekend before getting their first win of the season, but Xavier Arreaga was left unmarked, and he headed home the winner in the 72nd minute after a well worked free kick caught the away side off guard.
Sounders play midweek at Club Leon in the CONCACAF and will be traveling to Puerto Rico. Fatigue could be a challenge when they face Austin on Sunday as they play twice in 4 days while their opponents play once a week for the foreseeable future.
Austin FC vs Seattle Sounders | |
Teams | Austin FC vs Seattle Sounders |
Location | Q2 Stadium |
Time | Sunday, March 20 at 4.30pm EST |
How to watch | FS1, FOX Deportes |
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