Austin FC v San Diego FC: Depleted guests to attract on ´underdog mentality´
Mikey Varas believes San Diego FC’s underdog mentality will serve them properly once they make the journey to Austin FC with a number of key gamers out injured.
San Diego have made a positive begin to their debut MLS marketing campaign, incomes eight factors from their first 4 matches.
Solely Vancouver Whitecaps and Los Angeles FC are above them within the Western Convention standings, the place they’re the one unbeaten group remaining.
However Varas’ aspect, who drew 1-1 with the Columbus Crew final week, can be with out Marcus Ingvartsen, Hirving Lozano and Andres Reyes as a result of damage in Texas on Sunday, whereas Anibal Godoy and Paddy McNair are on worldwide obligation.
“In life, irrespective of how gifted or how up you might be, when you have a preventing group spirit and an underdog mentality, you at all times give your self an opportunity,” Varas stated forward of the sport.
“On the finish of the day, we’re going to have good video games and unhealthy video games, technically and tactically, as a result of that’s life.
“However what needs to be non-negotiable is our combat and having that spirit of being humble, being respectful of the sport and the opponent and of our neighborhood, and ensuring we’re at all times giving an enormous effort.
“After we’ve obtained 5 gamers lacking, it’s a chance for anybody.”
Austin, in the meantime, have two wins and two losses below new coach Nico Estevez, having earned an attention grabbing 1-0 triumph away to LAFC final week.
Twenty-year-old attacking prospect Owen Wolff has teed up their solely two targets this season, prompting Estevez to bathe him with reward.
“I believe it is a good season for him, due to the profile of participant that he’s, and the profile of participant that we don’t have,” Estevez stated.
“He’s a participant that has a very good understanding of enjoying in between the strains. He has actually good acceleration when dribbling ahead and likewise has a very good cross in behind the backline.”
Relentless Coaching Classes pic.twitter.com/7dsv1o0s4E
— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) March 20, 2025
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Austin FC – Brandon Vazquez
Going again to the top of final season, Austin’s final 4 regular-season targets have been headers, scored by 4 completely different gamers.
Vazquez is but to attain this season, however solely seven gamers throughout the whole lot of MLS have bettered his 13 aerial duels gained in 2025.
San Diego FC – Anders Dreyer
San Diego’s Dreyer has created 11 possibilities in MLS this season, with solely Cristian Espinoza, Albert Rusnak (each 15) and Marcel Hartel (13) creating extra.
Dreyer additionally has three targets to his title, with solely Tai Baribo (six) and Hugo Cuypers (4) netting extra all through the primary 4 matchdays of 2025.
MATCH PREDICTION – AUSTIN FC WIN
San Diego are simply the second growth group in MLS historical past to go unbeaten by means of their first 4 matches, after St. Louis Metropolis did so of their first 5 in 2023.
They’ve solely conceded twice by means of 4 matches, tied for the second-fewest targets shipped by an growth group of their first 4 video games, alongside the 2009 Seattle Sounders.
We may very well be in for a good contest, then.
Austin have six factors from matches (W2 L2), with each of their wins coming by 1-0 scorelines, whereas they’ve failed to attain in each losses.
They’re the second group in MLS historical past to have six factors by means of 4 matches of a season regardless of scoring simply two targets, after Sporting Kansas Metropolis in 2017, however house benefit makes them favourites.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Austin FC – 42.3%
San Diego FC – 31%
Draw – 26.7%
