Sporting Kansas City vs. Austin FC Prediction, Preview and Odds -5/9/21
Sporting Kansas City is coming off their first loss of the young season and play host to an Austin FC team that has started off well in their inaugural season in MLS.
After losing their MLS debut in their first match Austin FC has won their last two matches. Their defense has played well in their last two matches and in them, they totaled four goals after getting shutout in their opener. The club is in second place in the Western Conference one point back of Seattle and two points clear of Kansas City.
After winning their opener and playing to a draw in their next match Sporting Kansas City suffered their first loss in their last match. After scoring two goals in their season debut the club has only scored one goal in each of their last two matches.
Keep it Up on the Road
Austin FC has won two matches in a row and they start the season with their first eight matches on the road before opening Q2 Stadium on June 19. In their last match, they beat Minnesota United 1-0 with Diego Fagundez scoring the lone goal. Brad Stuver kept a clean sheet and the defense played great with the Loons only managing two shots on target. Austin won the time of possession 55% to 45% and captain Alex Ring had a great match in the midfield and this week was named to the MLS Team of the Week.
Fagundez has scored a goal in each of his last two matches and he and Cecilio Domínguez each have two goals. The Austin defense has played great in the last two matches only giving up one goal. Rodney Redes, Jared Stroud, and Jon Gallagher all have notched one assist. FC Austin’s last two opponents have only combined for one win and this match will be a good test facing Kansas City, who made the playoffs last season.
Not The Best Defense
After only conceding two goals in their first two matches Sporting Kansas City did not play good defense in their last match, which was a 3-1 road loss to Real Salt Lake. The team struck first with Alan Pulido scoring in the 17th minute but then the team failed to score again and allowed three goals. Sporting KC was outshot 10-6 and 4-1 on shots on target. They lost the time of possession battle as well (54% to 46%).
2017 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Tim Melia has yet to play beginning the season with an injury and while he may come back in this match is doubtful. 20-year old John Pulskamp will likely get the start again and looks to improve on the subpar performance in the last match where he allowed three goals. The club is banged up and Nicolas Issimat Mirin, Graham Zusi, and Amadou Dia are all listed as questionable for this Sunday’s match. No player for Sporting has more than one goal and no player has more than one assist.
Side: Kansas City -182
Sporting KC has been up and down this season and are coming off their first loss of the season where they gave up three goals. FC Austin has won two matches in a row where their defense has been solid only conceding one goal. They are coming off a shutout win but they will not get a shutout in this match. Sporting will play well at home and their defense will play much better. Austin will continue their solid play in the midfield, but they will have some issues in the back line. I see Sporting putting a lot of pressure on Austin and I see them scoring at least two goals. KC will get the win in this match at home ending Austin’s two-match winning streak.
Total: Over 2.75 (+103)
I am taking the Over in this match and not because Sporting Kansas City gave up three goals in their last match. I see them turning things around at home and playing their best offensive match of the season. They have talent up front and they will pressure the Austin back line the whole match. KC will score at least two goals and whole I see their defense playing well they will not keep a clean sheet. For this Sunday Western Conference encounter the Over is the pick.