Seattle Sounders vs Austin FC Prediction, Picks & Odds

How to Watch Seattle Sounders vs Austin FC

Credit is due to Seattle.

Even after a fairly unexciting 1-1 draw against Atlanta last week, no MLS squad has been able to surpass the point tally from the Sounders so far this season.

With five wins, two draws and no losses, few could ask more of the 2020 MLS Cup finalists.

And although they’ve had to deal with injury issues and some key players leaving during the winter, Seattle have figured out a way to continue improving and building upon their promising end to last season.

Up against a new squad like Austin, the Sounders should not only maintain their undefeated streak, but also clinch their sixth victory.

Austin Are A Work In Progress

It isn’t out of the ordinary for new MLS clubs to need an adaptation period.

With limited time to work on roster chemistry and cohesion, debut teams can sometimes need up to a full season or two to finally piece everything together.

The same could be said for Austin.

Regardless of their high expectations and their two wins in their first three games, they’ve since slipped up with three consecutive defeats in a row.

Granted, the first of those losses was impacted by a red card for midfielder Alexander Ring, but following that moment, there has been a noticeable lack of the same confidence seen earlier in 2021.

There’s intrigue about Austin and they have noteworthy squad names that should take them to the playoffs, but this weekend, they’ll first take another step back against an elite side like the Sounders.

Both In Defense And Attack, Seattle Have Looked Well-Balanced

It really is difficult to find complaints about Seattle.

Defensively, they’ve allowed the fewest goals in the Western Conference. In the attack, they are also just as outstanding with 14 goals in just seven games.

As mentioned earlier, even at their worst, they still hold onto draws as well.

Through what seems to be a 3-4-1-2 or 3-5-2 formation, Sounders manager Brian Schmetzer has made them a well-oiled machine that can do plenty of damage in the final third and withstand pressure.

Parity is high in MLS, and it’s only a matter of time before someone knocks out the Sounders, but do Austin have much of a chance?

Finding The Back Of The Net Has Been a Struggle For Austin

Through the latest round of games from last week, Austin are currently the fifth-worst team when it comes to total xG (expected goals) in MLS.

There are serious questions about their striker position up top, and in support, there are few answers as to which other players are capable of capitalizing on chances.

Only Cecilio Dominguez and Diego Fagundez have more than one goal so far this season, and in their last three games, neither has been able to find the back of the net.

A solution could soon arrive and perhaps Danny Hoesen just needs one goal to gain some motivation, but until then, Austin’s finishing problems will continue.