To say that Austin FC will face them in the final game of the first half of the MLS season might be an understatement.
The Green & Black will travel to Real Salt Lake on Saturday in what will likely be the most difficult circumstances of the year.
Not only will Austin FC play an at-altitude away game against the best team in the Western Conference with two days rest, but they will also do so with probably the shortest roster of the season, as star forward Sebastián Driussi will likely not play after leaving Wednesday’s 2-0 loss to Portland due to injury.
Here’s what you need to know about the matchup as Austin FC (6-5-5, 23 points) ends a run of three games in eight days:
Missing bodies
It’s already difficult to get a result away from home, but with Driussi’s absence likely amplifying the squad’s scarcity, you can’t blame Austin FC coach Josh Wolff for simply using an extremely conservative formation – or low block, for the football purists – and praying to leave town with a draw.
Driussi leaves a gigantic hole in the Green & Black’s lineup that cannot be filled, and after releasing midfielder Emiliano Rigoni 10 days ago and having many players with tired legs, Austin FC are at a point where they are just trying to put bodies on the field. (New designated player Osman Bukari and any other roster additions will not be able to appear in any games before July 20.)
Lineup prediction
The only good news in the squad is that right-back Jon Gallagher should be available to play for a while after missing the last two games with a minor groin injury.
With Zan Kolmanic able to start at left-back and defenders Julio Cascante and Matt Hedges fully rested after not playing on Wednesday, Austin FC are expected to start the game with a renewed defense.
Wolff should go with CJ Fodrey and Ethan Finlay on the flanks, as they have fresher legs, while Diego Rubio is thinking about starting as a striker.
The rest of the lineup leaves some decisions to be made.
Alex Ring, Dani Pereira and Jhojan Valencia start in midfield with Driussi out?
Owen Wolff is an option, but he has played 90 minutes in two consecutive games in three different positions.
Don’t be surprised if an Austin FC II midfielder is called up to the game on a short-term contract to be available in case of emergencies.
A look at the Real Salt Lake
In positive news for Austin FC, the hosts are also playing their third match in eight days.
Real Salt Lake capitalized on a stoppage-time goal to draw 1-1 at Seattle on Wednesday and drew 3-3 at Dallas last Saturday.
However, the good news stops there.
Real Salt Lake is the third-best home team in MLS in terms of points per game, with 16 points and a 5-1-1 record in seven matches at America First Field, and their overall goal differential of plus-13 trails. just Miami.
It also has the best player in the league, not Lionel Messi, forward Cristian Arango, who leads MLS with 13 goals and eight assists. Arango played just 32 minutes on Wednesday and should be able to play most of the game.
Austin FC vs Real Salt Lake Prediction
Real Salt Lake 2, Austin FC 0: There are no expectations here for Austin FC, who haven’t been particularly good on the road except for a solid performance in Dallas. Without Driussi and a squad with tired legs playing at altitude, simply leaving the city without injuries should be considered a victory. Don’t give too much importance to this result if Green and Black leave the field completely. The team is already in a good position with 23 points in the second half of the season, and a big boost to the squad will arrive at the end of July.
Saturday’s game
Austin FC (6-5-5, 23 points) at Real Salt Lake (8-2-6, 30 points), 8:30 p.m., America First Field, Apple TV, 97.5, 104.3 (Spanish)
This article originally appeared in the Austin American-Statesman: Austin FC vs Real Salt Lake: Our preview and prediction are in
