It has been the best of times recently for Austin FC, while Inter Miami have been unable to relate to the feeling as the teams get set to face off Saturday night at Miami.
Despite the team’s success in the recent past, Austin coach Josh Wolff only wants to look forward.
“We have to try to get better right now,” Wolff said. “We look to get our third win (in a row).”
Austin (7-8-4, 25 points) has consecutive 3-0 victories and both have come against fellow Texas clubs in FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo.
Having defender Kipp Keller in the lineup for the past two matches has been a boon for Austin FC. The young defender appears to have overcome early struggles.
“He has just got to be used to being back on the field,” Wolff said. “He understands what we’re doing, it’s about going out and executing.”
Keller could be a difference maker.
“It’s good to see him have that confidence that we’ve seen,” Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver said.
Inter Miami (5-13-0, 15 points) enter on a seven-game losing streak dating back to the middle of May.
A new coach is coming with Tata Martino taking that position, although interim coach Javier Morales will oversee Saturday’s match.
“We feel he is a coach who matches our ambitions as a club and we’re optimistic about what we can accomplish together,” said managing owner Jorge Mas in making this week’s announcement regarding Martino.
The problems for Miami have been widespread. The team gave up a season-high goal total in last Saturday’s 4-1 loss at Philadelphia.
“When a team doesn’t defend well, it’s very difficult to win,” Morales said. “We want the best for Inter Miami. … We all have to support each other as a club.”
Miami’s plight has become more difficult after defender Franco Negri came away with an ACL injury against Philadelphia. He’ll require season-ending surgery.
Josef Martinez is tops in scoring for Inter Miami with four goals.
Austin defender Jon Gallagher, who was selected for the MLS All-Star Game, will try to keep tabs on Martinez.
This marks Austin’s first visit to Miami and the only matchup of the season between the teams. It also begins a stretch of three consecutive road matches for Austin.
–Field Level Media
