The Texas Derby rivalry between Austin FC and FC Dallas has been one of the most heated in MLS in the two years it’s been contested.
But nothing that’s happened before compares to the stakes on the line when the two sides square off in the MLS Cup’s Western Conference semifinals on Sunday in Austin.
For Dallas, it’s a chance to reach the West final for the first time since 2015. And for Austin, which is in only its second season of play, it’s unquestionably the biggest game in team history.
Both teams earned berths in the semifinals via penalty-kick victories in the first round. Austin, the conference’s second seed, outlasted Real Salt Lake 3-1 at home in a shootout last Sunday while Dallas, the third seed, advanced over Minnesota at home with a 5-4 showing in penalties, with Alan Velasco’s successful shot proving the difference.
“I mean, it’s a young rivalry, right? Two years,” Austin midfielder and captain Alexander Ring said on Thursday. “Games like these, and the games we’ve had this year against them, those will fuel the rivalry, 100 percent. The fans are really into it already, so yeah, a derby’s always a derby.”
The winner of Sunday’s game will travel to face top-seeded Los Angeles FC in the Western Conference final on Sunday, Oct. 30. LAFC toppled El Trafico rivals LA Galaxy 3-2 on Thursday via a 94th-minute goal by Chicho Arango.
Austin established a new league playoff mark with 38 shots in its win over RSL in the first round. Thirteen players recorded a shot, led by Sebastian Driussi’s playoff-record 12 attempts.
Driussi scored twice in the match in regulation and then added a successful shot in the shootout to help Austin to a two-goal comeback. Goalkeeper Brad Stuver saved two RSL shots in a shootout, helping send Austin to the next round.
Although Austin has the home-field advantage and is the higher seed based on the regular season, Dallas will be undaunted. Dallas has never lost to Austin, winning three times and drawing twice in the five all-time meetings between the sides. Both the draws came this season.
“Maybe another team that is not used to the environment (in Austin’s Q2 Stadium) might get a little scared, but it is something that we already know,” FC Dallas coach Nico Estevez said. “It will come down to if we can have the composure or calmness to execute.”
Dallas had just one win in its final six road matches of the regular season, going 1-3-2. Jesus Ferreira scored 18 goals to lead the team this season, with Paul Arriola adding 10. Goalkeeper Maarten Paes is the last line of a strong defense that allowed the fewest goals in the Western Conference (37) during the regular season.
–Field Level Media