Austin FC will carry a three-match profitable streak into Saturday once they host the surging Portland Timbers in a matchup between two of MLS’ hottest groups.
The Verde (4-2-0, 12 factors) return residence after a 1-0 win in St. Louis on Sunday. Myrto Uzuni scored on an help by Osman Bukari for the match’s lone objective whereas Brad Stuver stopped two photographs to earn his third clear sheet of the season.
It was the primary MLS objective for Uzuni, whom Austin signed in January from Spanish second division facet Granada CF for a reported $12.3 million switch charge. It was seemingly solely a matter of time till the Albanian worldwide broke via for his new workforce.
“I am at all times working, onerous work,” Uzuni mentioned. “I put all the pieces on the pitch, so I feel I am deserving. Within the final video games I did not have luck. At residence I hit two posts. I am working onerous for this second and I hope extra objectives are coming.”
It is Austin’s first three-match profitable streak because it received 4 straight matches June 30-July 12, 2022, in a marketing campaign through which the Verde superior all the best way to the Western Convention ultimate.
Portland (3-2-1, 10 factors) has received two consecutive matches and earned seven factors in its previous three contests.
The Timbers head to Austin after a 3-1 win at residence over the Houston Dynamo on Sunday. Antony Alves Santos scored two objectives and Felipe Mora added a objective and two assists for Portland within the win because the Timbers put 9 photographs on objective to only one for Houston.
“Groups will proceed to strengthen, and we have to be sure that we’re in that mindset as effectively — that is actually necessary,” Timbers coach Phil Neville mentioned. “This can be a marathon. We’re solely six video games in. We have to get an even bigger (squad) and extra depth to our group and extra high quality. I feel that is the problem for us for the following three or 4 weeks.”
The Timbers captured the primary match between the edges this season 1-0 within the Pacific Northwest. Portland owns a 6-3 all-time edge over the Verde, with one draw within the collection.
–Area Stage Media
