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Austin FC ends year hoping to ruin playoff aspirations of San Jose Earthquakes

Colby Gordon, Austin American-Statesman
·3 min read
Austin FC defender Nick Lima dribbles against Los Angeles FC forward Cristian Olivera during the second half of their Oct. 7 match at Q2 Stadium. El Tree is out of the playoff picture and already looking at 2024.
Austin FC defender Nick Lima dribbles against Los Angeles FC forward Cristian Olivera during the second half of their Oct. 7 match at Q2 Stadium. El Tree is out of the playoff picture and already looking at 2024.

Austin FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes

8 p.m. Saturday, PayPal Park

TV/radio: Apple TV, 97.5

What’s at stake: Nothing. Austin FC’s playoff chances officially ended with a 4-2 loss to LAFC on Oct. 7 at Q2 Stadium, and this game is nothing more than a formality. It’s an opportunity to look at younger players such as center back Brandan Craig, whom the team has on loan from Philadelphia, and MF Sofiane Djeffal. Austin FC coach Josh Wolff said he wouldn’t sit veteran players such as Sebastián Driussi and Gyasi Zardes who have dealt with injuries during the year, but he rarely gives insight into what his lineup will be, so don’t be surprised to see an unusual combination. Players like MF Ethan Finlay, who will be a free agent, and F Will Bruin, MF Alex Ring and F Maxi Urruti, who probably won’t have their contract options for next year picked up, will be trying to impress potential future teams if they see the field. … San Jose, on the other hand, has everything at stake. The Earthquakes occupy the ninth and final playoff spot on tiebreakers in the Western Conference and are two points ahead of Kansas City and Minnesota. They are one of five clubs fighting for three spots, and a win would clinch a postseason spot while a tie might leave them depending on other results.

About Austin FC (10-15-8, 38 points): Since the loss to LAFC, preparations have begun for next year after a disappointing final three months of the season with one win in 11 games over two competitions. Sporting director Rodolfo Borrell last week shared his thoughts on the past, present and future while backing Wolff in the process. He said major changes will be coming, and Wolff reinforced that during the week. Trying to re-sign Ring at a drastically lower number than his current $1.7 million salary and not picking up the option on Urruti will free up well over $1 million in salary cap space. The club also has the option to buy out one player’s contract once next season begins. It used that option on former CB Amro Tarek this summer. … Driussi met with the media and reinforced Wolff’s comments after the LAFC game that the club gave up too many easy goals in the last 11 games. He also noted he has a lingering injury issue from his time in Russia at Zenit St. Petersburg that occasionally flares up, but he is healthy overall and looking forward to next year. ... OB Nick Lima spent five years with San Jose before being traded to Austin FC prior to the 2021 season.

About the San Jose Earthquakes (10-10-13, 43 points): With only three points in their last four matches, the Earthquakes have stumbled down the stretch a bit. They’ve had three straight draws, their last win back on Sept. 16 in a 2-1 result vs. Real Salt Lake. While Austin FC has won only once in its last 11 games, San Jose hasn’t been much better with only two wins in 10 games. … Veteran GK JT Marcinkowski will miss the match after tearing three ligaments in his knee during a friendly vs. CD Olimpia of Honduras on Saturday. The club’s starting goalkeeper the past two seasons, Marcinkowski lost his job to Daniel de Sousa Britto in the middle of the year. … MF Cristian Espinoza is one of the better players in the MLS and leads the Earthquakes with 14 goals.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin FC closes out disappointing season at San Jose