Nico Estevez acknowledged that his Austin FC side "have to go through difficult moments" in their hunt for a postseason spot, as they entertain the Seattle Sounders in what promises to be a playoff six-pointer on Sunday.
Austin, who come into the clash off the back of a U.S. Open Cup semi-finals win, have won two of their last three MLS outings, and will be eager to extend their campaign into the postseason, having missed out on the playoffs last term.
Estevez’s side have scored the fewest goals (31) in the entire Western Conference, but have compensated for their lack of goalscoring prowess with a staunch rearguard that has conceded the joint-third fewest goals (36) in the West.
"You have to go through difficult moments. And if you don't have a good roster and a good team, it is very difficult," said Estevez.
"We have a lot of good individuals that help the team. The team are key in order to be in a final and in order to be fighting for the playoffs."
The Sounders are heading into the game having fallen to a 3-1 loss against Inter Miami.
This season’s Leagues Cup champions, who currently sit fifth in the Western Conference, will be looking to pull the ladder up from the playoff-chasing pack that sit beneath them.
"[Austin] are a confident team. They have played much, much better, and they are missing one of their biggest pieces," said Brian Schmetzer while discussing Sunday's opposition.
"It will be an interesting battle. It is a much better Austin side from when we met them earlier in the year."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Austin FC – Owen Wolff
Wolff has played a part in 11 of Autin’s 31 goals this season (35%), having registered five goals and six assists in 29 appearances.
Wolff (21/21) and Robert Taylor (20/20) each recorded 100% passing accuracy in last Saturday’s match against FC Dallas, marking the first time in Austin FC’s history that two players have completed every pass they attempted (minimum 20) in the same game.
Seattle Sounders – Jordan Morris
Morris registered his 101st regular-season MLS goal contribution (70 goals, 31 assists) with an assist on Obed Vargas’ strike on Tuesday. That tally draws him level with Fredy Montero for the second-most in Seattle's MLS history, behind only Nicolas Lodeiro’s 121.
Having played just 12 games in MLS this season, after being sidelined through injury, Morris has still tallied five goal involvements (four goals and one assist).
MATCH PREDICTION: SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN
Seattle have kept Austin scoreless in six of their nine all-time encounters, including each of the last three.
No team has recorded more regular-season clean sheets against Austin than the Sounders.
In their 2-0 defeat to Dallas, the Verde conceded in both the second and 49th minutes.
It is the first time in their MLS history they have shipped goals within the opening five minutes of each half in a single match.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Austin FC – 30.1%
Draw – 24.9%
Seattle Sounders – 45.0%