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Austin FC is the hottest team in the Western Conference.
Whether that continues will be determined by how it fares against what is arguably the most dangerous attack it has faced so far. The Verde & Black bring their three-game winning streak into their first rematch of the season when they host Portland on Saturday.
More: Austin FC coach Nico Estévez's journey is something the club hopes spurs it to success
However, this contest is likely to have few similarities to the first matchup between the two clubs on March 1 when the Timbers won 1-0 on a late free kick.
Here’s what you need to know about the match as Austin FC tries to win four games in a row for the third time in club history but the first time outside of the 2022 season:
Despite the club being on a winning streak for the first time in more than two years, both Austin FC coach Nico Estévez and center back Brendan Hines-Ike downplayed the factor of momentum Thursday. The latter noted that it exists, but that “each game in MLS is very, very different.”
Estévez said it doesn’t change anything for him, and that aside from having a good position in the standings, the club needs to be thinking of the next match.
“What you did is nice, but it’s in the past,” said Estévez, who is one of several MLS coaches in their first year with a club having early success. “It should give you confidence, but it should also give us more responsibility and confidence to keep improving as a team.”
Estévez and Hines-Ike are correct that momentum probably isn’t as important in MLS as in other sports like the MLB, which play on a near-daily basis or the NFL, where every game carries great importance.
But for a club like Austin FC that the last two years had months-long stretches when it went without back-to-back league wins, most notably in the last three months of the season, producing an early winning streak was key.
Though it may not necessarily bring momentum, Hines-Ike noted it does bring the club something else.
“When you win you have more attention on you,” he said.
With only three goals allowed, Austin FC has the second-best defense in MLS. The backline and goalie Brad Stuver have been excellent through the season’s first six games, but Hines-Ike emphasized that it’s a team effort and credit needs to be given everywhere.
“The defense always starts with the front line,” he said. “The pressing those guys have had is relentless and their work rate is incredible.”
Hines-Ike pointed to forwards Brandon Vazquez and Myrto Uzuni as doing well, but also noted that winger Jáder Obrian played a key role in preserving last week’s 1-0 win in St. Louis.
“He pressed their center back for over a minute to prevent him from kicking the ball long,” he said. “That kind of stuff is immensely important for us. It’s what makes our team get to the next level. It’s the dirty work and it’s the boring work, but it’s what makes a difference.”
The Timbers have scored six goals over their last two matches, and with forward Santiago Moreno, who missed the first matchup, appearing to be healthy, the Timbers have several dangerous attacking options. Felipe Mora, Diego De Costa and Antony Alves Santos combine with Moreno to present the Austin FC backline a challenge.
And with Uzuni likely to start and play at least 80 minutes — he came off the bench midway through the second half in the first matchup — the game should have a faster pace.
“It’s going to be a different type of game,” Estévez said. “They’ve added more transition type of situations with … Anthony and Moreno as wingers.”
The media corps witnessed right back Mikkel Desler quickly running forward and backward in rehab Thursday at the team's training facility. Estévez appeared happy with how he's progressing from a hamstring injury.
“He’s hitting the timeline we set up for his return,” he said.
Uzuni’s fiancee in Europe — Uzuni is from Albania and previously played in Spain — is due to deliver the couple’s baby within the next two weeks.
Estévez said it’s up to Uzuni on whether he goes back to Europe for a few days and that missing a game is a possibility.
“I always support the players with whatever they decide,” he said. “He seems like he has everything under control there. Here, he is focused and looks happy. We always respect the desire of the player in these situations.”
Forward: Myrto Uzuni, Brandon Vazquez, Osman Bukari
Midfield: Owen Wolff, Dani Pereira, Ilie Sánchez
Defense: Guilherme Biro, Brendan Hines-Ike, Oleksandr Svatok, Jon Gallagher
Goalie: Brad Stuver
Austin FC 2, Portland 1: Similar to the LAFC match, Austin FC's defense will be consistently tested here. But I like the way Austin FC has played the last three games, and at some point its offense is going to click. I think that happens here and the club gets its fourth straight win.
Austin FC (4-2-0, 12 points) vs. Portland Timbers (3-2-1, 10 points), 6:45 p.m., Q2 Stadium, FOX, FOX Deportes, Apple TV, 97.5, 104.3 (Spanish)
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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin FC vs Portland Timbers: MLS preview, prediction
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Whether that continues will be determined by how it fares against what is arguably the most dangerous attack it has faced so far. The Verde & Black bring their three-game winning streak into their first rematch of the season when they host Portland on Saturday.
More: Austin FC coach Nico Estévez's journey is something the club hopes spurs it to success
However, this contest is likely to have few similarities to the first matchup between the two clubs on March 1 when the Timbers won 1-0 on a late free kick.
Here’s what you need to know about the match as Austin FC tries to win four games in a row for the third time in club history but the first time outside of the 2022 season:
Momentum?
Despite the club being on a winning streak for the first time in more than two years, both Austin FC coach Nico Estévez and center back Brendan Hines-Ike downplayed the factor of momentum Thursday. The latter noted that it exists, but that “each game in MLS is very, very different.”
Estévez said it doesn’t change anything for him, and that aside from having a good position in the standings, the club needs to be thinking of the next match.
“What you did is nice, but it’s in the past,” said Estévez, who is one of several MLS coaches in their first year with a club having early success. “It should give you confidence, but it should also give us more responsibility and confidence to keep improving as a team.”
Estévez and Hines-Ike are correct that momentum probably isn’t as important in MLS as in other sports like the MLB, which play on a near-daily basis or the NFL, where every game carries great importance.
But for a club like Austin FC that the last two years had months-long stretches when it went without back-to-back league wins, most notably in the last three months of the season, producing an early winning streak was key.
Though it may not necessarily bring momentum, Hines-Ike noted it does bring the club something else.
“When you win you have more attention on you,” he said.
Team defense
With only three goals allowed, Austin FC has the second-best defense in MLS. The backline and goalie Brad Stuver have been excellent through the season’s first six games, but Hines-Ike emphasized that it’s a team effort and credit needs to be given everywhere.
“The defense always starts with the front line,” he said. “The pressing those guys have had is relentless and their work rate is incredible.”
Hines-Ike pointed to forwards Brandon Vazquez and Myrto Uzuni as doing well, but also noted that winger Jáder Obrian played a key role in preserving last week’s 1-0 win in St. Louis.
“He pressed their center back for over a minute to prevent him from kicking the ball long,” he said. “That kind of stuff is immensely important for us. It’s what makes our team get to the next level. It’s the dirty work and it’s the boring work, but it’s what makes a difference.”
A glance at the Portland Timbers
The Timbers have scored six goals over their last two matches, and with forward Santiago Moreno, who missed the first matchup, appearing to be healthy, the Timbers have several dangerous attacking options. Felipe Mora, Diego De Costa and Antony Alves Santos combine with Moreno to present the Austin FC backline a challenge.
And with Uzuni likely to start and play at least 80 minutes — he came off the bench midway through the second half in the first matchup — the game should have a faster pace.
“It’s going to be a different type of game,” Estévez said. “They’ve added more transition type of situations with … Anthony and Moreno as wingers.”
Mikkel Desler returning to health
The media corps witnessed right back Mikkel Desler quickly running forward and backward in rehab Thursday at the team's training facility. Estévez appeared happy with how he's progressing from a hamstring injury.
“He’s hitting the timeline we set up for his return,” he said.
Baby watch for Myrto Uzuni
Uzuni’s fiancee in Europe — Uzuni is from Albania and previously played in Spain — is due to deliver the couple’s baby within the next two weeks.
Estévez said it’s up to Uzuni on whether he goes back to Europe for a few days and that missing a game is a possibility.
“I always support the players with whatever they decide,” he said. “He seems like he has everything under control there. Here, he is focused and looks happy. We always respect the desire of the player in these situations.”
Austin FC predicted starting lineup
Forward: Myrto Uzuni, Brandon Vazquez, Osman Bukari
Midfield: Owen Wolff, Dani Pereira, Ilie Sánchez
Defense: Guilherme Biro, Brendan Hines-Ike, Oleksandr Svatok, Jon Gallagher
Goalie: Brad Stuver
Austin FC vs. Portland Timbers prediction
Austin FC 2, Portland 1: Similar to the LAFC match, Austin FC's defense will be consistently tested here. But I like the way Austin FC has played the last three games, and at some point its offense is going to click. I think that happens here and the club gets its fourth straight win.
Saturday's match
Austin FC (4-2-0, 12 points) vs. Portland Timbers (3-2-1, 10 points), 6:45 p.m., Q2 Stadium, FOX, FOX Deportes, Apple TV, 97.5, 104.3 (Spanish)
Follow the American-Statesman on Facebook and X for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Get access to all of our best content with this tremendous offer.
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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin FC vs Portland Timbers: MLS preview, prediction
Continue reading...
