Austin FC returns home to host Vancouver Whitecaps FC this Saturday, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. CT. After playing three of its last four league matches on the road, two of the Verde & Black’s three remaining April fixtures will take place at Q2 Stadium.
Tune-In
Fans can watch the match in English, Spanish, or French in over 100 countries via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
- Stream: Click here to watch the match, or access it through any device compatible with the Apple TV app. An MLS Season Pass subscription is required.
- Radio: The match will be broadcast live locally in English on iHeart Radio’s Alt 97.5, and in Spanish on Univision’s TUDN Radio Austin (104.3-HD2, KLQB-FM).
Austin FC Outlook
Austin’s center back corps got a double dose of good news this week. Loan signing Aleksandar Radovanović arrived in the city and began training with the team, while Julio Cascante signed a new long-term contract and continued rehabilitation work as his return to action draws ever closer.
Though neither is likely to feature against Vancouver, it’s a promising sign of things to come. Whichever 11 players do start against the Whitecaps will be hoping for a repeat performance of last year’s home match against the Canadian club. Maxi Urruti scored twice in the first half before Sebastián Driussi added another after the break to seal a 3-0 win for Austin.
In March, Austin conceded only one total goal in home matches against Montréal, Violette, and Colorado, and the team has not allowed a goal at Q2 Stadium all season when Leo Väisänen and Alex Ring have been playing together as center backs.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Outlook
Vancouver, like Austin, enters Saturday off the back of an away defeat to LAFC. While the Whitecaps crashed out of Concacaf Champions League midweek, Head Coach Vanni Sartini’s side has been on a fine run of form in MLS play.
The ‘Caps lost their first two league matches of the season but have not been defeated since, with two wins and three draws in their last five games - including back-to-back shutout victories at home against Montréal and Portland. Midfielder Julian Gressel ranks near the top of MLS in assists with four, and young forward Simon Becher has been a pleasant surprise with three goals thus far.
Vancouver has been one of MLS’ better chance-creating teams in the early stages of 2023, leading the league in successful key passes (79), total scoring attempts (112), and corners taken (56).
Possible Vancouver Lineup
(4-3-2-1, R-L) - GK: Yohei Takaoka; Mathias Laborda, Ranko Veselinovic, Tristan Blackmon, Luis Martins; Julian Gressel, Andrés Cubas, Ali Ahmed; Pedro Vite, Ryan Gauld; Simon Becher
