Austin FC must be more disciplined if it wants to snap a two-match losing streak as it hosts Charlotte FC on Saturday in Texas in the second-ever match between the sides.
The Verde (8-10-6, 30 points) have finished both of their last two matches short-handed after having a player sent off.
Austin had to play the final 30 minutes and added time of Wednesday’s 3-1 loss at FC Dallas with 10 men after striker Sebastian Driussi was assessed a red card for a violent contact.
The match before, the Verde were left shorthanded after Brendan Hines-Ike picked up his second yellow card in the 77th minute. Austin fell 1-0 to the visiting Seattle Sounders.
“It’s just emotion – it’s good to be passionate and have energy,” Verde coach Josh Wolff said Wednesday.
“And obviously guys stand up for each other and there is a real appreciation for that aspect, but you still have to make good decisions. We’ll have to get guys fresh and get ready for the game on Saturday.”
Driussi will miss Saturday’s match (suspension), as will defender Julio Cascante (yellow card accumulation).
However, the Verde could get some reinforcements. Midseason transfers Osman Bukari and Mikkel Desler will be available.
Austin has lost three of its last four matches and checks in at 10th in the Western Conference, a spot below the playoff line thanks to a tiebreaker with ninth-place Minnesota United.
The Verde won at Charlotte in the teams’ first-ever meeting in 2022 – the Crown’s inaugural season.
Charlotte (10-8-6, 36 points) is in sixth place in the Eastern Conference and firmly in the postseason picture.
The Crown head to the capital of Texas for the first time and after a 1-1 draw at the Columbus Crew on Wednesday.
Patrick Agyemang scored the equalizer in the 83th minute for Charlotte, which is 2-2-1 over its past five matches.
The Crown have produced 14 points on the road this season, including a 3-1 win at FC Cincinnati on July 13.
“I don’t even think we were happy with both our performances,” Agyemang said after Charlotte’s two games in five days in Ohio.
“We know we can do better but this shows the potential we have. It’s all about us focusing and concentrating on the next game and leading this momentum into Leagues Cup.”
Saturday’s clash is the last for both teams before MLS takes a month-long break in its regular season for Leagues Cup competition.
–Field Level Media
