Each Major League Soccer matchday in 2021, the KeyBank Scouting Report will give you a snapshot of the Portland Timbers’ next opponent. This Thursday, the Timbers travel to Texas to play new expansion side Austin FC at Q2 Stadium. Kickoff for the nationally televised game is 6:30pm PT on FS1.
Team Form
In their inaugural MLS season, Austin currently sit in 12th place in the Western Conference with a record of 2-5-4. Though many have raved about their glittering new field – Q2 Stadium – Austin is winless at home going 0-0-2 and also winless in their last five matches, though they have picked up four draws and three clean sheets in that span (0-1-4).
Leading Austin is head coach Josh Wolff. Wolff appeared in 267 matches in Major League Soccer with the Chicago Fire, Kansas City Wizards and D.C. United. He also had 52 caps for the USMNT and was part of the national side for both the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. After his playing career finished, Wolff was an assistant with D.C. and Columbus Crew SC while also helping coach U.S. Soccer. Austin is his first head coaching position.
Austin's Cecilio Domínguez (USA Today Sports Images)
In attack
The biggest challenge for Wolff's side has been goals with Austin last in MLS with only six goals scored in 2021. Their forward corps was thinned even further with the recent injury to Danny Hoeson putting him out for the season and it remains an area of big focus with the team with Wolff saying last week, “We do need a striker. We don't have a striker and that's an area that we can certainly make some additions, as well as some other places.”
However, it's not all doom and gloom in attack. The club's first-ever Designated Player, 26-year-old midfielder and Paraguayan international Cecilio Domínguez, leads the team with three goals and has started all 11 matches for AFC.
Familiar Faces
There are two players with Timbers connections on the Austin roster. Former Timbers centerback Julio Cascante was traded to Austin this past offseason and has been become a regular for Wolff's team appearing in eight games with six starts. Previously, the Costa Rican and ex-Saprissa defender played three seasons with Portland, appearing in 48 matches.
The other Timbers connection is via a unique MLS sign and loan deal of U.S. youth international Manny Perez. Portland initially acquired Perez though the MLS Allocation Process before loaning him to Austin in exchange for a 2023 MLS Super Draft third round pick. The 22-year old midfielder has appeared in five games for Austin.
Austin's Matt Besler (USA Today Sports Images)
In Defense
Though Austin FC has not scored many goals, they haven't given up very many either, allowing only 11 on the season which is tied for second best in the Western Conference. Helping lead the backline is U.S. international and former Sporting KC defender Matt Besler.
In goal, former NYCFC goalkeeper Brad Stuver has locked down the first-string role, starting all 11 matches for Austin and is tied for the MLS lead in clean sheets with four – three of which he's earned over the past five games.
All the latest Timbers news:
