Austin FC wants to make this truly a big week.
Four nights after winning its first match of the week, the team is back in action against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night at Austin, Texas.
“We have to rest up, and see what’s available for Kansas City — a well-rested team,” Austin coach Josh Wolff said. “We’ll come ready to go and I know our fans will be there for us as well.”
Austin (5-4-4, 19 points) is coming off a 1-0 home victory against the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday night, giving the team four consecutive home wins
In the last five matches overall, Austin has four clean sheets.
“We know in the end, it’s about getting wins,” said Wolff, a former Kansas City player. “By no means are we a finished product.”
While Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver has been up the task when called upon, the field play in front of him has added to the solid defensive numbers. Stuver leads MLS with 65 saves this season.
“It’s challenging, you have to make impactful plays at both ends of the field,” Wolff said. “When an opportunity came, we were able to take it.”
Sporting KC (2-5-5, 11 points) has lost three of its past four matches and has won only once in a seven-match span (1-4-2). It also played Houston as its most recent opponent.
“This is a very similar group that we had last year,” SKC coach Peter Vermes said. “It’s a mentality right now. It’s not that they don’t have it, it’s that it’s not happening.”
Vermes said he hasn’t sensed that there’s enough suffering from his team when desired results aren’t achieved. He said that should have changed in the week between a 2-1 home loss to Houston and the trip to Austin.
“Change of mentality,” Vermes said. “Sports is all about desire, passion.”
Erik Thommy has scored a team-high four goals for Kansas City.
Austin, which has won four of its past five matches in the series vs. Sporting KC, is counting on a boost in front of the home crowd. Kansas City is 0-3-0 all-time at Austin.
“The fans, bringing energy and lifting these guys and you can feel the surge,” Wolff said.
The teams will meet again next month.
–Field Level Media
