Austin FC recorded the first win in Club history on Saturday against the Colorado Rapids and now they will look to build off those three points heading into this weekend. Austin will travel north to take on Minnesota United FC on Saturday at 7 pm CT to face a team who have yet to earn a point in 2021.
AUSTIN OUTLOOK
The first three points in Club history were won at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday as Austin came back from a 1-0 deficit to beat the Rapids 3-1.
The three goals all came in the second half after Austin made a huge surge coming out of the locker room. Diego Fagundez kicked things off in the 59th minute -- scoring the first goal in Austin FC history -- and was followed up by a Cecilio Domínguez brace in just four minutes. Josh Wolff’s team held on over the final 19 minutes to see out the win.
It wasn’t all good news for ATXFC as Ben Sweat suffered a torn ACL in the first half and had to be replaced by Žan Kolmanič. Austin fans could expect to see the Slovenian get the majority of the minutes at left back going forward.
This match again came on the road, as Austin start the season on a seven-game road trip before opening Q2 Stadium on June 19.
MINNESOTA OUTLOOK
After reaching the Western Conference Final last season, much was expected of the Loons heading into the 2021 season. It has been a disappointing start.
In Week 1 Adrian Heath’s team traveled to take on the Seattle Sounders -- the club that eliminated them in last year’s playoffs. After a solid first half, the Loons were trounced in the second, eventually losing 4-0. Last week they faced off against Real Salt Lake and went down 2-0 in the first half before losing 2-1.
New signing Ramon Abila did not feature in the match against RSL, as he’s dealing with a lower body injury. The striker joined the Loons from Boca Juniors and he’ll be joined Ligue 1 veteran Adrien Hunou soon, with the Frenchman signing with Minnesota last week. Hunou is not expected to feature for Minnesota this week, but Abila could make his return against Austin.
PROBABLE MINNESOTA LINEUP
(4-2-3-1, R-L) - GK: Dayne St. Clair; Romain Metanire, Michael Boxall, Jukka Raitala, Chase Gasper; Osvaldo Alonso, Jan Gregus; Robin Lod, Emanuel Reynoso, Ethan Finlay; Ramon Abila
INJURY REPORT
Minnesota United FC: Ike Opara (Undisclosed); Bakaye DiBassy (Left Thigh); Niko Hansen (Left Thigh); Jacori Hayes (Right Thigh); Nabilai Kibunguchy (Concussion); Robin Lod (Questionable)
Austin FC: Aaron Schoenfeld (left knee); Ulises Segura (left knee); Ben Sweat (ACL)
