With a Copa Tejas win still fresh in our minds, Austin returns to Q2 Stadium to face Eastern Conference [bonus] side New York Red Bulls.
Austin’s draw against Dallas last week was just enough for ATX to proclaim Texas is Verde. It was a historic moment, with the Copa Tejas trophy lifted as the first silverware the club has earned in its short history.
The draw came when Verde found a way to get the game level in the 79’ by none other than Diego Fagundez. Still vivid in our mind, Dallas turned the ball over while trying to play it out from the back. Owen Wolff lunged for the ball while Felipe recovered possession. It was then slotted to Driussi who laid the assist to Fagundez for the clutch game-tying goal.
With Big D in our rearview, Austin has come out the back side of a congested July schedule smelling like a Tyler rose — the club is on a record seven game unbeaten heater.
This week ATXFC finally got a full week’s rest, allowing players to heal those bumps and bruises. Overall, Verde escaped that gauntlet of games with relatively few injuries. Coach Wolff returns to the sideline on Sunday after coming out of COVID lockdown last week.
It will be the first-ever meeting between Austin FC and Red Bulls.
Tale of the Tape
- Austin FC – 2nd in the Western Conference (42 GF/ 24 GA, +18)
- New York Red Bulls – 3rd in the Eastern Conference (30 GF/ 22 GA, +8)
days
hours minutes seconds
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Austin FC vs. Red Bulls Kickoff
Scouting Report
RBNY is coming off a 1-0 loss to rival NYCFC. In that match, the Red Bulls simply got outplayed. The club has now failed to score six times this season.
In the match prior to that one, NYRB couldn’t secure a game-winner against a largely ten-man FC Cincinnati squad.
Despite not being able to stop opponents in the past two matches, defensively, they’ve been one of the best teams in the league. They currently sit fourth in MLS in terms of goals allowed. Led by U.S. National Team center back Aaron Long, the Red Bulls will to try to stop the league’s best scoring offense, Austin FC, from doing what they do better than anyone — creating and finishing chances.
Offensively, watch for Red Bulls attacking threats Lewis Morgan and Omir Fernandez.
With the game being played in Austin, New York boasts one of the best away records in the league, ranked second in that category. Only ATX has earned more points (23) on the road this season than the Red Bulls (20).
But historically, New York has been sub-optimal in Texas. It has won just one of its last seven league matches in the Lone Star State dating back to 2014.
To throw another wrench in the works, New York has to factor in the U.S. Open Cup semifinal match against Orlando City SC three days after landing in Austin. Against a non-conference foe, do they take an opportunity on Sunday to rest their starters?
Score Prediction
Proven by the tear Austin has been on lately, it’s been almost impossible for anyone to get a victory against them. It’ll take a perfect performance from most sides to overcome the Verde and Black, including highly-ranked NYRB.
If Austin can continue being solid defensively and explosive on the attacking end, then it should be another notch on their belt in a spectacular 2022 season.
Final Score:
Austin – 2
New York Red Bulls – 0
Odds: Austin FC +125 and New York +187. A draw is priced at +250.
Injury Report
- OUT: Frederrik Kleeman (left knee)
- OUT: Jhojan Valencia (right knee)
- OUT: Hector Jimenez (left groin)
Kit Matchup
Austin FC in their Sunday best Verde & Black at Q2 Stadium. STUUU in blue. Plan accordingly.
How to watch Austin FC
Austin FC will play host to the New York Red Bulls at Q2 stadium — 7:08 p.m. (CT) kickoff on July 24.
- TV: KBVO
- Streaming: AustinFC.com, Austin FC app, UnivisionAustin.com (Spanish), ESPN+ (out of market)
- Radio: KASE-FM (Alt 97.5), KLQB-FM (104.3-HD2)
Going to the game? Check out our guide to food at Q2 Stadium.
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