Austin vs Portland – News and Probable Lineups

Austin FC will take on the Portland Timbers during a Major League Soccer Decision Day matchup at Q2 Stadium on Saturday.

A victory would secure a playoff spot for Portland, while Austin, who are already out of contention, will be concluding Davy Arnaud’s interim tenure before Jim Curtin steps in.

Match overview

Austin FC currently stands at 14th in the Western Conference after being knocked out of the playoff race due to successive losses to Real Salt Lake on October 28 and LA Galaxy on October 31.

Arnaud has been temporarily managing the team since Nico Estevez’s dismissal on May 18, with Curtin, the former head coach of Philadelphia Union, expected to take charge on December 1 or after the conclusion of the current season.

The defeat to the Galaxy was decisive, as Joao Klauss found the net in the 10th minute, followed by goals from Hirving Lozano in the 38th minute and Robert Taylor in the 48th, leaving Austin trailing by three goals before the hour mark.

Ervin Torres reduced the deficit in the 54th minute with a long-range effort for his second career MLS goal, assisted by Micah Burton in his first-ever MLS start and Jorge Alastuey, but Sergi Roberto responded with Portland’s fourth goal in the 66th minute.

Damian Las recorded two crucial saves in the 35th minute to maintain a 2-0 scoreline at that time, and Riley Thomas came off the bench to make his debut in MLS.

Austin has netted in every one of their last seven encounters, as their last match without a goal was against FC Dallas on September 20.

Myrto Uzuni and Christian Ramirez have both scored nine times this season and will be looking to reach double digits on Saturday.

Austin also achieved a 2-1 victory in their previous encounter at Providence Park on August 29, where Facundo Torres opened the scoring and Oleksandr Svatok sealed the win during stoppage time.

The Portland Timbers are currently eighth in the Western standings with 43 points, having secured 12 wins, seven draws, and 14 losses from their 33 matches played. A streak of three consecutive victories has propelled them into contention for a wild-card spot.

Marti Cifuentes’s squad endured a seven-game winless stretch from early September to mid-October, making a return to the playoffs in his first season a significant turnaround.

Their three recent victories came against Charlotte FC, St. Louis City, and Houston Dynamo, all teams heading to the playoffs, with the Timbers scoring nine goals across these matches.

The 3-1 triumph over Houston on November 1 showed a dominant display, with an 18-8 advantage in shots and six on target compared to just one for the visitors.

Vincent Janssen, a midseason acquisition, netted his fifth goal of the season against Houston while also providing two assists, marking the first assists of his MLS career.

Kristoffer Velde tallied his 11th goal of the season in that game and received recognition from American Soccer Analysis as the most valuable outfield player in MLS outside of Lionel Messi since the World Cup break.

David Da Costa opened the scoring and recorded his team-leading 11th assist from a corner that Janssen headed in for the third goal.

The Timbers rank ninth in the league for goals scored, yet they find themselves in 22nd place for goals conceded, having kept only two clean sheets this season.

A win in this match guarantees a playoff berth and keeps a first-round spot within reach, while a draw would only secure qualification with favorable outcomes in other matches.

Team News

Austin will be without Chris Applewhite (quad) and Jon Bell (lower abdomen) for Matchday 34, and Zan Kolmanic is suspended following his red card in the match against LA Galaxy.

Uzuni and Ramirez are both available to pursue their tenth goals, along with Facundo Torres, who scored the initial goal in August’s duel in Portland.

Portland has six players unavailable: Alex Bonetig (shoulder), Brandon Bye (knee), Jimer Fory (concussion), Zac McGraw (back), Juan Mosquera (foot/ankle), and goalkeeper Trey Muse (concussion).

Janssen, Velde, Da Costa, and Ariel Lassiter are all back in contention.

Austin FC probable starting XI:

Las; Desler, Sanchez, Biro; Burton, Sabovic, E. Torres, Alastuey; Placheta, Gallagher, Ramirez

Portland Timbers probable starting XI:

Pantemis; Hernandez, Surman, Waterman, Smith; Izoita, Caicedo, Da Costa; Lassiter, Velde, Janssen

Portland arrives with clearer motivation and stronger recent form, having scored nine goals across three victories against playoff-bound teams, showcasing a forward line led by Janssen, Velde, and Da Costa who are all in good form.

Austin conceded three goals within the first 48 minutes against the Galaxy and find themselves at risk of finishing in the bottom two in the West, with little to contest aside from individual achievements and the opportunity to provide their academy players with more game time.

The Timbers have not suffered a defeat in Austin since 2021, and their need for a positive result could be the determining factor in what is expected to be a high-scoring affair.