July 17, 2024; Frisco, Texas, USA; Austin FC forward CJ Fodrey (19) brings the ball upfield during the second half against FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports Austin FC must be more disciplined if they want to snap a two-game losing streak as they host Charlotte FC on Saturday in Texas in the second leg between the teams.
Verde (8-10-6, 30 points) has finished both of its last two games short after having one player ejected.
Austin had to play the final 30 minutes and added time in Wednesday’s 3-1 loss at 10-man FC Dallas after forward Sebastian Driussi was red-carded for a violent tackle.
The game before, Verde was left out after Brendan Hines-Ike received his second yellow card in the 77th minute. Austin lost 1-0 to the visiting Seattle Sounders.
“It’s just excitement — it’s good to be passionate and have energy,” Verde coach Josh Wolff said Wednesday.
“And obviously the boys support each other and there’s a real appreciation for that aspect, but you still have to make good decisions. We’ll have to get the boys fresh and ready for the game on Saturday.”
Driussi will miss Saturday’s match (suspension), as well as defender Julio Cascante (yellow card accumulation).
However, Verde could get some reinforcements. Mid-season transfers Osman Bukari and Mikkel Desler will be available.
Austin has lost three of its last four games and is 10th in the Western Conference, one spot below the playoff spot thanks to a tie with ninth-place Minnesota United.
Verde won in Charlotte in the teams’ first meeting in 2022 – the inaugural season of the Crown.
Charlotte (10-8-6, 36 points) is sixth in the Eastern Conference and firmly in the postseason picture.
Crown heads to the Texas capital for the first time and after a 1-1 draw at the Columbus Crew on Wednesday.
Patrick Agyemang scored the tying goal in the 83rd minute for Charlotte, which is 2-2-1 in its last five games.
Crown has produced 14 points on the road this season, including a 3-1 win at FC Cincinnati on July 13.
“I don’t even think we were happy with both of our performances,” Agyemang said after Charlotte’s two games in five days in Ohio.
“We know we can do better, but it shows the potential we have. It’s all about us concentrating and focusing on the next game and leading this momentum into the League Cup.”
Saturday’s game is the last for both teams before MLS takes a month-long break from its regular season for League Cup competition.
— Field level media
