Josh Wolff stays optimistic that Austin FC can enhance on their play within the remaining third once they face Actual Salt Lake in MLS on Saturday.
Wolff is beneath some stress with Austin failing to win any of their final 4 league matches, scoring simply two targets in that run.
They nonetheless have an out of doors likelihood of constructing the playoffs, presently sitting eleventh within the Western Convention, however the head coach is aware of that won’t occur if they don’t rating.
“The primary factor is you’ve acquired to exit and win the subsequent recreation,” Wolff advised reporters.
“We’ve acquired to have the identical concepts that we’ve had and the identical performances that we’ve had, we’ve simply acquired to take our alternatives.
“I preserve echoing that we’ve been one of many better-performing groups at each ends, but it surely’s all for nought if we will’t rating targets and win video games and that’s the one half that’s been missing.”
Constructing into Saturday.#AustinFC x @SeatGeek pic.twitter.com/kCxAy93WgM
— Austin FC (@AustinFC) September 26, 2024
In the meantime, RSL booked their place within the playoffs final weekend after a 3-3 draw with Portland Timbers, and presently sit second within the desk.
That’s partly all the way down to their spectacular residence kind, as they’ve didn’t win their final 4 on the street.
With that in thoughts, head coach Pablo Mastroeni continues to be focusing on enhancements, particularly in protection.
“The final two performances had been spirited, had been gritty,” mentioned Mastroeni, “and that comes from the gamers’ mindset.
“This group is admittedly coming into its personal on the proper time, and now we simply have to attenuate foolish conditions that we’ve got full management over.
“Within the final two video games we’ve given up three poor set items. What can we do extra in these moments and in coaching? Life doesn’t let you know while you’re in danger.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Austin FC – Diego Rubio
Diego Rubio has scored six profession targets in opposition to Salt Lake (incl. playoffs), tied for his most in opposition to any MLS opponent (additionally vs. Houston Dynamo & Minnesota United).
Solely Jesus Ferreira (eight) and Sebastian Blanco (seven) have scored extra in opposition to RSL since Rubio made his MLS debut in 2016.
Actual Salt Lake – Cristian Arango
Cristian Arango has scored six profession targets in opposition to Austin (incl. playoffs), tied for his most in opposition to any MLS opponent (additionally vs. FC Dallas & LA Galaxy).
No participant has scored greater than six targets in opposition to Austin in MLS play (common season and playoffs).
One other day within the workplace pic.twitter.com/kYpIgedl9O
— Actual Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) September 25, 2024
MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW
Actual Salt Lake have gained back-to-back conferences with Austin, together with a 5-1 victory when the perimeters met in Sandy on June 1. That is the primary two-match successful streak by both group over the opposite.
Nonetheless, RSL have misplaced 4 of their final 5 away matches in all competitions (D1), together with the final three in a row. Salt Lake had misplaced solely three of their earlier 17 on the street in all competitions (W6 D8) previous to this run.
And Austin have struggled in latest residence video games, dropping back-to-back matches after dropping simply two of their earlier 14 matches at Q2 Stadium in all competitions (W8 D4). Austin have failed to attain in two straight at residence for the primary time since July 2021 (three straight).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Austin FC – 37.4%
Draw – 26.4%
Actual Salt Lake – 36.2%
