Hey Verde! We’re Los Nerdes Verdes. Two dudes from Austin who are passionate about soccer and data visualization. We’re thrilled to be posting alongside other Austin FC fans, and we look forward to bringing you data-backed insights throughout our inaugural season. For a full preview of the Sporting KC game, check out Ross Fisher’s breakdown here.

This week we are playing Sporting KC which will be a TOUGH test. They lead the league in goals and goals per game. They are towards the top of the league in goal distance, and they convert almost all of their expected goals. Their offense is efficient AND productive. 

Fortunately, Sporting KC will be without their leading scorer. The former Liga MX product Alan Pulido who ranks 3rd in total goals this season – trailing only Raúl Ruidíaz and Chicharito Hernández – will miss the matchup with Austin FC while on international duty with El Tri.

Good news? Our defense is stout and our goalkeeper is StuVerde. We are third in the league in blocked shots and Stuver is 4th in the league in total saves. The other good news? We aren’t strangers to long range shots ourselves. We are 2nd in the league in goal distance (we just don’t score often…). 

Our injury issues in the back shouldn’t affect us much on that front either. Cascante leads the teams in shots blocked despite playing significantly fewer minutes than his CB counterparts – Besler and Romaña. How successful he is in closing out the shooters of KC may be an indicator of Austin FC’s chances to get a result (or at least how much Stuver’s going to have to stand on his head).

For more Austin FC data viz, you can check us out on Twitter / Instagram @losnerdesverdes and Reddit under u/losnerdesverdes. In the meantime, check out our Tale of the Tape. Stay Verde!