FC Dallas vs. Austin FC Prediction, Preview, and Odds - 8/7/21
FC Dallas plays host to Austin FC on Saturday night from Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, in a crucial Western Conference tilt. The two in-state rivals have yet to meet this season in Austin’s debut season, so there is much anticipation in regards to Saturday’s matchup which should see two teams and two fan bases come together. Only two points separate these two teams as well, though Dallas does have a game in hand, but both sit towards the bottom of their conference standings. With only the top seven teams making it to the playoffs, it’ll take a strong finish to the season over this back half stretch to see either team make its way into postseason action. Dallas hasn’t played at home since July 24th and the fans will surely be excited to welcome the team back after a nice little road trip. For Austin, their first trip to Dallas will be full of new experiences for the group but shouldn’t take away from the predicted intensity of the game.
Dallas Putting Together Nice Streak
Dallas enters Saturday’s game unbeaten in their last three games, taking down some solid playoff-bound team over that time. Beating the Galaxy 4-0, Sporting KC on the road 2-1, and tying Seattle in the midweek, has the team feeling confident coming back to Texas. The recent form has seen Dallas move into ninth place in the Western Conference standings, with 18 points across 17 games. With a minus-four goal differential, Dallas seems to finally be turning a corner and being able to take down the league’s newest member, who just happens to be a fellow in-state team, should do plenty for their confidence for their three-game homestand. Having come back in such dramatic fashion the last time out against Seattle, Dallas will know that they can’t afford to drop any points down the stretch and a home game is the perfect opportunity for them to keep their unbeaten streak going strong into a fourth straight game.
FC Dallas has one of the friendliest injury reports in the league, according to the league’s availability report, which should be a massive advantage on Saturday night. They will continue to be without Beni Redzic (ankle sprain) and Justin Che (lower leg). With Redzic having yet to appear in a game yet this year, this absence won’t be widely missed. For Che though, with one assist in seven games out of the back, he becomes slightly more of a player that the team would like back sooner rather than later. Regardless, FC Dallas should have plenty of depth in the reserves to give a complete performance on Saturday night, which has been their biggest asset to their current unbeaten streak.
Ricardo Pepi remains one of the most feared strikers in the league, with eight goals, while the wings have been steady in getting the ball to him. Paxton Pomykal has remained one of the better young players in the league and after not being included in this summer's Gold Cup roster for the United States, will have plenty to prove. Ryan Hollingshead has been an elite midfielder in his own right, leading the team with four assists. The midfield play for Dallas is a spot where they can grab a massive advantage and use their creativity to grab the win.
Austin Looking For Texas Sweep
Austin FC is yet to face FC Dallas, but didn’t waste any time during the week taking down Texas’ other professional team, the Houston Dynamo. The win was a huge step for the club, which has lost three in a row prior to that game. Not only did it get them back into the win column but proved to themselves and local fans that they belong in the Texas soccer space. It was a slow start for Austin FC and they still sit almost at the bottom of the Western Conference table, but are only five points back of a playoff spot. Austin has 16 points in 16 games, with only a minus-five goal differential, but has only taken points in only one of their last four games. It’ll take a strong finish over the last two months, in addition to finishing the sweep over their Texas opponents on Saturday to get going down the right path towards playoff soccer.
Unlike their opponents, Austin FC has been hit quite a bit harder by injuries. They’ll be without four players on Saturday, with two others questionable to give it a go. Aaron Schoenfeld (left knee), Iluses Segura (left knee), Ben Sweat (ACL), and Danny Hoesen (left hip), all remain out. McKinze Gaines (left abductor strain) and Daniel Pereira (left rectus abdominis strain) will be questionable to give it a go. With none of those players having found themselves on the score sheet yet this season, not much will be missed offensively. Defensively, Sweat continues to be an absence that Austin has struggled to fill the void of.
Cecilio Dominguez comes in as the team’s leading scorer, with four goals, and will be counted on for a heavy dose of offense on Saturday night. The key player to keep an eye on though is Diego Fagundez, the experienced attacker, backed by three goals on the season, who will draw the eyes of many on the FC Dallas defense. Not to be forgotten is Jared Stroud, the former New York Red Bulls and Colgate University midfielder, who leads the team with three assists. As if those names weren’t enough, people can’t forget about Matt Besler and Nick Lima in the back, both of whom are gifted with technical ability and experience to try to hold down the back line.
Pick: FC Dallas +120
FC Dallas has a few advantages heading into Saturday’s matchup that’ll have them feeling confident that they can come away with three points. The first is their current run of form is some of the best across the league and even though Austin FC won the last time out, they struggled extensively in July. Being at home too will loom large for FC Dallas, as the home crowd is known as one of the best in the league and can carry them forward in a big way. In addition, Austin has some solid players, but their defense is aging and their midfield is still young and yet to be exposed to many big games. That gap isn’t present with FC Dallas and beyond no one being able to stop Pepi, the depth isn’t there for Austin FC to keep up.
Pick: Over
The two teams have yet to meet in the season, or in general given Austin’s newness to the league. Expect both teams to take some time figuring each other out, but with both missing a few defenders in the back and playing in solid form of late, it’s difficult to imagine the offense not taking center stage. Pep is one of the best forwards in the league, while FC Dallas has a midfield that can break down lines and will give Austin everything they can handle. For Austin FC, their creativity and experience will help them take advantage of set pieces and get the most
