Austin FC look to snap a five-game winless streak Saturday when they play host to the San Jose Earthquakes, their toughest all-time opponent.
Austin FC (2-4-2, 8 points) have scored just one goal in their five-game swoon and have not scored in their past three games. It is the first time since July 2021 that the club has failed to find the net in three straight games, and it has never been held scoreless in four consecutive contests.
Austin FC have not won since defeating Real Salt Lake on the road on March 11. They are 1-1-2 at home this season.
Austin FC head home after a 2-0 road loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy last Saturday, adding to a minus-six goal differential through eight games.
“I would expect some changes for the next game,” Austin coach Josh Wolff said. “We have to try to find the right formula for who we are right now. But we also have to keep improving.”
Sebastian Driussi, the runner-up for MLS MVP last year in Austin’s run to the Western Conference championship game, has scored just one goal with one assist this season.
The Earthquakes (4-3-2, 14 points) have never lost to Austin in five all-time meetings, with two wins and three draws over that stretch. San Jose has been at its best after halftime in those matches, outscoring Austin 10-1 in second-half play.
San Jose heads to Texas after a 3-1 loss at Real Salt Lake last weekend, with the defeat snapping the Earthquakes’ four-match unbeaten streak.
San Jose has only one point from four road games in league play.
The Earthquakes will need to call on their depth after losing at USL Championship side Monterey Bay FC on Tuesday night when they were eliminated from the U.S. Open Cup.
“You know, we wanted to win this game, we wanted to compete for the Cup, but we’ve got to move on quickly,” San Jose coach Luchi Gonzalez said. “We’ve got an important game for the league against Austin on Saturday. We got to bounce back with just a good reflection and then work hard and move forward quickly.”
–Field Level Media