Austin FC II’s push for the MLS NEXT Pro postseason continues with an in-state rivalry match on Sunday night, as the Verde & Black travel up I-35 to take on North Texas SC. The match is set for a 7:45 p.m. CT kickoff at Choctaw Stadium and will feature a livestream on MLSNEXTPro.com.
Austin FC II Outlook
ATXFC II defeated its other in-state rival, Houston Dynamo 2, in convincing fashion last time out. Micah Burton’s brace, in addition to a penalty kick by Alonso Ramírez, spurred Austin to a 3-1 victory which put the team right on the edge of a playoff qualification position.
Austin is now in ninth place, level on points and goal difference with eighth-place Sporting KC II but behind on the total wins tiebreaker. A win vs. North Texas in the team’s final away game of the regular season, coupled with a loss by either Vancouver or Kansas City, would see ATXFC II leap into a playoff position ahead of its two-match homestand to close the campaign.
In addition to claiming valuable points, Sunday night’s winner will also claim bragging rights in the season series. Both prior meetings with NTSC have ended in draws, with the home teams winning the penalty shootout point on both occasions.
North Texas SC Outlook
North Texas currently sits atop the MLSNP Western Conference standings with a four-point cushion over second-place St. Louis, meaning a win on Sunday could put them within touching distance of clinching the top seed in the playoffs.
Their recent form has been quite good, as NTSC has collected 14 of the last 18 points available to them. North Texas is unbeaten in regulation at Choctaw Stadium in 2024 with a record of seven wins and five draws. The team’s 13 goals allowed in 12 home matches are tied for second fewest in the league.
Tarik Scott is NTSC’s top scorer this season with nine goals, while Pedrinho and Enes Sali have chipped in eight and seven respectively.
