Austin FC vs. Houston Dynamo FC: Our MLS score prediction and preview

Something will have to give when Austin FC plays rival Houston Dynamo FC in a Copa Tejas and MLS match Saturday at Shell Energy Stadium.

The Verde & Black have generally played well in Copa Tejas contests the past three years — they’ve won the competition the past two seasons — but they’ve lacked production on offense in their road games this campaign. Austin FC (2-3-3, 9 points) has yet to score away from Q2 Stadium this year and its shots and expected goal statistics have been painfully low.

Here's what you need to know about the match as the Verde & Black look to take early control of Copa Tejas:

Players are aware of road woes

The most interesting aspect of Austin FC’s Thursday media availability came from outside back Jon Gallagher, who noted that the players themselves spoke as a group about the lack of offensive production on the road.

While Austin FC didn’t get played off the field and had the bulk of possession last week in its 1-0 loss at St. Louis, it generated almost no scoring chances, and depending whose statistical tracker you look at, only had one or two shots. Though the earlier matches on the road vs. Seattle and Orlando had slightly different personnel — Sebastián Driussi didn’t play at Seattle and both Dani Pereira and Julio Cascante missed the Orlando match — it still continued a trend of an extreme lack of shot-taking and scoring chances away from Q2.

It’s something that isn’t lost on the players.

“We spoke as players and kind of got some stuff out on the table trying to fix it,” Gallagher said.

While winning on the road is difficult in any soccer league — Gallagher noted it is even more so in the MLS with the longer road trips compared to Europe — and three games is a small sample size, Austin FC’s dearth of offense is certainly glaring. Austin FC coach Josh Wolff said the team needs to have better decision-making and execution in and around the box.

“We try to train around some of these ideas around goal so that there’s better understanding, more calmness … which ultimately leads to better execution,” Wolff said. “We haven’t done well enough with our opportunities in those situations to get shots off to finalize our actions.”

Julio Cascante is out, Matt Hedges is in

With Julio Cascante missing the game due to yellow card accumulation, Matt Hedges will presumably start alongside Brendan Hines-Ike at center back.

The duo played together for a long stretch once before vs. Orlando, and Gallagher said the constant interchanging of players on the backline due to injury, national team duty or suspension is nothing out of the norm.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had the same back four for maybe more than five games at a time in my career,” he said. “That’s why we train so hard, so when guys come in they’re ready to go and know the run of the show.”

The return of left back Zan Kolmanic provides the defense a bit more depth. Though he won’t be able to play more than 30 minutes due to fitness, Kolmanic at leaves gives Wolff another option at outside back behind starters Guilherme Biro and Gallagher besides Hector Jiménez.

“We’re definitely a little thin, so it’s great,” Gallagher said. “He’s just such a good player, too. Hopefully he can find a bit of run in games now.”

Owen Wolff out with ankle injury

Owen Wolff, who has played left-side winger the last two matches, will miss the contest with an ankle injury.

It will be interesting to see what Josh Wolff does with the starting lineup now. Most likely, Jader Obrian gets switched back to the left side and Ethan Finlay starts on the right.

Emiliano Rigoni could possibly start on the left side if Josh Wolff wants to keep Obrian on the right, but his form has been so poor this season that that would be a strange decision.

Max Urruti returns

Former Austin FC forward Maxi Urruti visited training Thursday while his current club Platense, of the Argentine Premier Division, is currently on a short break.

Both Josh Wolff and Gallagher said it was good to see Urruti again and that he had a positive impact both on the field and in the locker room during his two years with the club. They also noted it speaks well for Austin FC that former players — Urruti’s contract option was not picked up by the club in November — would return to visit.

“Guys here are treated well as players and by the staff, the organization … and the fans,” Josh Wolff said. “All of that plays into why we recruit so well inside the league.”

Baby boom!

Gallagher announced that he and his wife are expecting their first child later this year.

It’s part of a trend within the club, as backup goalkeeper Matt Bersano and Finlay’s wives gave birth earlier in the year and backup goalie Stefan Cleveland and his wife also are pregnant.

“We’ve got so many parents on the team,” Gallagher said. “I’ve been on teams where there’s not many people that have kids at all, so (in team gatherings) it gets a little bit wild with all them running around. It’s fun and probably shows me what’s to come.”

Austin FC vs. Houston Dynamo FC prediction

Austin FC 1, Houston Dynamo FC 1: The Verde & Black seem to be at their best in Copa Tejas contests, but they’re going to have to show more on offense on the road before I pick them to win. There will probably be a few hundred Austin FC fans in the stands at this contest, and despite Houston being solid the last month and having the comforts of home, that should help spur the Verde & Black to a draw.

Saturday’s match

Austin FC (2-3-3, 9 points) at Houston Dynamo FC (4-2-1, 13 points), 7:30 p.m., Shell Energy Stadium, Apple TV, 97.5, 104.3 (Spanish)

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin FC vs. Houston Dynamo FC: Our MLS score prediction and preview