Austin FC vs. Sporting Kansas City: Our prediction and preview are in
Austin FC may be weary, but it certainly won’t be getting any rest.
Less than 72 hours after finishing a 1-0 win over Houston, the Verde & Black will return to the field at Q2 Stadium to face Sporting Kansas City Saturday. Two days’ rest is the quickest turnaround of the season for Austin FC, and it’s something it will do four more times.
Here’s what you need to know about the match as the Verde & Black (5-4-4, 19 points) look for their fifth straight win at home:
Tough situation looms for the Verde & Black
Assuming Austin FC brings in players to bolster its depth during the summer transfer window, this will be its second toughest game of the season from a fatigue and roster standpoint.
Unlike later this month when it will have to play on the road with only two days in between games, Austin FC at least doesn’t have to do any traveling this time. But that doesn’t make the current situation easy, and Kansas City is entering the match on a full week’s rest.
Verde & Black captain Sebastián Driussi noted at the team’s Friday media availability that there aren’t any excuses for the team and that it still needs to take care of business at home, but head coach Josh Wolff said the circumstances provide a challenge.
“Three days is not enough time for players to recover,” Wolff said. “This is the most difficult space in our sport. … It’s unfortunate when we have to do it, but we have to be mindful of (the players’) recovery, food, hydration and what we do in training.”
Expect multiple changes in the starting lineup
With the short break, Wolff could field a drastically different starting lineup from Wednesday.
On defense, considering right back Jon Gallagher and center back Brendan Hines-Ike played 90 minutes and center back Julio Cascante and left back Zan Kolmanic only missed 13, expect lots of changes.
Matt Hedges will likely be one of the starting center backs, and don’t be surprised to see Hector Jimenez and Owen Wolff to play long stretches at outside back — if not start. Left back Guilherme Biro seems unlikely to be available after missing Wednesday’s game with an injury, but center back Leo Väisänen should be an option to make another appearance late in the second half like he did vs. Houston.
More: What do Austin FC players make? Salaries released for 2024 MLS season for Verde & Black
In other spots on the field, Jhojan Valencia figures to start at one of the midfield spots instead of Dani Pereira, who also played 90 minutes Wednesday, while Josh Wolff has some decisions to make on the wings.
Emiliano Rigoni played the full game Wednesday, so expect CJ Fodrey to see a lot of minutes, especially with Ethan Finlay questionable since he’s dealing with a minor injury. Gyasi Zardes and Diego Rubio may flip roles at forward, with Zardes starting and Rubio entering the game early in the second half.
Josh Wolff said he doesn’t plan on signing any Austin FC II players to short-term contracts for the game to use in an emergency, though he may just be hiding his cards.
The bottom line is, outside of Brad Stuver at goalie, don’t be surprised by any variation of the starting lineup.
Arnaud a coaching prospect?
The MLS saw its first coaching firing Thursday when Nashville dismissed Gary Smith after more than six years at the club.
Austin FC assistant Davy Arnaud could be a target for clubs looking for new coaches with his longevity in the league and the fact he spent times as an interim coach in Houston. While Josh Wolff said it’s natural for Arnaud and other coaches and players to explore opportunities, the club does everything possible to make them want to stay in Austin.
“It could happen, for sure,” he said. “The league is getting bigger with expansion, and in the offseason there’s lots of interest for staff in many areas. … We try to treat people in a good manner here and … want them to enjoy what they’re a part of each and every day.”
Animal tales
A raccoon running on the field in Philadelphia Wednesday night during the Union’s game vs. New York City FC drew worldwide attention.
No animals have appeared on the loose at Q2 Stadium yet, and Josh Wolff noted that during his playing days — he spent the bulk of his career playing in NFL stadiums in Kansas City and Washington D.C. — he did have dogs interrupt matches.
“When you play at RFK Stadium you’re never sure what can come out from behind the rafters,” he quipped.
Though an armadillo actually did make an appearance at the all-star game announcement Wednesday, Josh Wolff noted it probably wouldn’t be a good idea to have one on the field at Q2 Stadium — even in a controlled setting — with their ability to carry leprosy.
One hairstyle Driussi will never sport again is...
Soccer players can be know for their hair game as well as their game on the field, and in another light moment Friday, Driussi revealed there’s a certain hairstyle he’s sported that his wife was not fond of.
“I don’t think she has a favorite,” said Driussi, who leads the club with four goals. “When I get it cut, she likes it, and when it’s long she likes it. But she definitely didn’t like the buzz cut. That was the only time she really said she didn’t like it.”
Austin FC vs. Sporting Kansas City prediction
Sporting Kansas City 2, Austin FC 1: Even though it’s at home, from a practical standpoint, Austin FC is in a tough situation here. Its best players either won’t be able to play the full match or will be fatigued. And while Kansas City sits 13th in the Western Conference, it still has a decent roster. If the Verde & Black can grab a draw here, that shouldn’t be considered a disappointment.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin FC vs. Sporting Kansas City: Our prediction and preview are in
