Looking to record back-to-back victories following a winless start to the 2024 campaign, Austin FC will welcome San Jose Earthquakes to Q2 Stadium for an MLS clash on Saturday evening.
Los Verdes recorded a much-needed success over FC Dallas last time out, whereas the Quakes fell to defeat at the hands of Houston Dynamo in dramatic circumstances.
Match preview
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After enduring a five-game winless streak at the beginning of the MLS season, Austin finally collected their maiden maximum of the 2024 term, beating Dallas 2-1 at Q2 Stadium, where the hosts showcased their considerable powers of recovery to earn a result.
Following a goalless opening 45 minutes, the contest in Texas burst into life during the second period, when Eugene Ansah put the visitors ahead, before strikes from Julio Cascante and Diego Rubio turned the encounter on its head and secured three points for Los Verdes.
Playing his first 90-minute match of the season versus the Toros, Argentine playmaker Sebastian Driussi provided the game-winning assist for new signing Diego, with the 28-year-old primed to be one of the division's hottest properties once again after netting 38 goals in the last two MLS terms.
With their talismanic attacker back in the starting XI, Josh Wolff's side will be targeting a quick ascent towards the upper echelons of the Western Conference, with Los Verdes currently in 11th place, six points behind section leaders LA Galaxy.
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Netting his first goal for San Jose inside the first minute of last weekend's match against Houston, centre-back Bruno Wilson provided a perfect start to the contest for the visitors, but they were unable to hold on for any points at Shell Energy Stadium.
The first-half dismissal of Preston Judd for violent contact made the Quakes' task a lot harder in Texas, and by the time that Jackson Yueill also received his marching orders in the closing stages, San Jose were already 2-1 behind, with Carlos Ferreira and Franco Escobar scoring late on for the Dynamo.
Unable to make it back-to-back successes following their first win of the term versus Seattle Sounders after a five-goal thriller, Luchi Gonzalez's men remain second bottom of MLS' Western Conference, already four points behind Los Angeles FC who occupy the lowest of the playoff spots.
San Jose's record versus Austin is extremely impressive - the Quakes have not lost to Los Verdes in their last seven meetings, but Saturday's visitors have only won two during that unbeaten run, with the most recent victory coming all the way back in October 2021 at Earthquakes Stadium.
Team News
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Sustaining a foot injury during the 2-1 loss to Minnesota United on February 25, Leo Vaisanen is still recovering in the medical room for Austin and will not be available until later this month.
Los Verdes are also without the services of Slovenian left-back Zan Kolmanic, who suffered a hamstring injury in the middle of March and has not featured since.
After receiving their marching orders during the defeat at Houston, both striker Judd and Yueill will be unable to play for San Jose this weekend.
Jeremy Ebobisse is a prime candidate to replace Judd at the focal point of the Quakes' attack, whilst Carlos Gruezo could come into the visitors' engine room.
San Jose fans are yet to witness the best of Amahl Pellegrino, with the 33-year-old currently out until the end of April due to an abdominal injury.
Austin FC possible starting lineup:
Stuver; Gallagher, Cascante, Hines-Ike, Jimenez; Pereira, Ring, Wolff, Driussi, Obrian; Rubio
San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:
Yarbrough; Beason, Wilson, Rodrigues, Vitor; Gruezo, Morales, Tsakiris; Espinoza, Kikanovic, Ebobisse
We say: Austin FC 3-1 San Jose Earthquakes
With talisman Driussi back in the starting XI, Austin are ready to climb the Western Conference and should be confident of defeating San Jose on Saturday night.
The Quakes are without two key men for the trip to Texas, and we feel that a weakened-visiting side will be unable to collect any points at Q2 Stadium.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
