Live updates for Sunday game
Austin FC at Seattle Sounders: Substitution, 0-0 (64th minute)
The first change of the game is made by the home team, as Kelyn Rowe is replaced by Jimmy Medranda for Seattle Sounders. Rowe was in midfield, but Medranda will fill in for Seattle at the wingback.
In less than 30 minutes, Austin FC has continued to counter attack opportunities and looks full of energy in the offensive half of the field, although the end product for Josh Wolff’s team is still lacking.
– Cameron Drummond
Austin FC at Seattle Sounders: Scoring chance, 0-0 (53rd minute)
Cecilio Domínguez has the best chance of the game yet to put Austin FC on the scoreboard but sees a shot blocked just 10 meters from Stefan Cleveland’s goal.
Domínguez received a pass from Diego Fagundez who led a counterattack from Austin FC after a Seattle Sounders corner, but Nouhou had his body in front of the ball and the Seattle defender kept Domínguez from breaking the impasse.
The best chance of the game for Austin FC, but it is 0-0.
– Cameron Drummond
Austin FC at Seattle Sounders: Kickoff, 0-0 (46th minute)
The second half takes place in Seattle without either team having to be replaced outside of half time.
The first goal of the second half is in Seattle when midfielder and club captain Cristian Roldan fires a shot from the top of the 18-yard field, both high and far from Brad Stuver’s net.
– Cameron Drummond
Austin FC at Seattle Sounders: halftime, 0-0
A first half of the limited chances came to an end in Seattle.
Neither Austin FC nor Seattle Sounders were able to take advantage of one of the few valuable opportunities the game has presented so far. Both teams scored only three shots on goal and an expected goal (XG) of just 0.4.
Seattle has kept the vast majority of possession in the game, but Austin FC has remained organized and compact in defense, so Fredy Montero and his company rarely have much room to create quality scoring opportunities for the home team.
Each team received at least one yellow card in the first half, with defender Nick Lima and striker Jared Stroud booked for Austin and defender Xavier Arreaga also received a yellow card for Seattle.
The goal drought for Austin FC continues, but as things stand today, they will take one point home from a difficult road trip to Seattle.
– Cameron Drummond
Austin FC at Seattle Sounders: chance to score, 0-0 (33rd minute)
João Paulo tries an ambitious shot from distance that goes straight into the waiting hands of Brad Stuver.
The Seattle Sounders have continued to control possession and act offensively as the more threatening team but still have nothing to show on the scoreboard.
Austin FC left wing Cecilio Domínguez was injured for a period and held on to his thigh and leg. However, he was able to leave the field on his own and returned to the game.
– Cameron Drummond
Austin FC at Seattle Sounders: Yellow card, 0-0 (24th minute)
The first yellow card of the game against an Austin FC player comes when Nick Lima goes in for a professional foul while Austin FC struggles to recover to defend a Seattle Sounders counterattack.
Seconds later, Cecilio Domínguez fired a powerful long-range shot straight at Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland, but it was a comfortable save for Cleveland.
Still goalless in Seattle, although the action is slowly picking up pace.
– Cameron Drummond
Austin FC at Seattle Sounders: Scoring chance, 0-0 (21st minute)
A volley from Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan from the penalty area goes wide past Brad Stuver’s net.
There were very few chances to score in the first 20 minutes of today’s game. The Seattle Sounders retained the vast majority of possession, but so far Austin FC have been very organized in defense and difficult to break.
– Cameron Drummond
Austin FC at Seattle Sounders: Yellow card, 0-0 (2nd minute)
Seattle Sounders defender Xavier Arreaga receives an early yellow card for a stray arm that hit the face of Austin FC left winger Cecilio Domínguez.
The resulting free kick looks promising for Austin but was sent just over the bar by Tomás Pochettino.
The early yellow card is something Arreaga needs to watch out for. More than 85 minutes until the game.
Tonight’s game also marks the 300th regular MLS appearance for Austin FC defender Matt Besler.
– Cameron Drummond
Austin FC at Seattle Sounders: Kickoff, (1st minute)
Austin FC’s penultimate game on the team’s eight-game road trip opener is a visit to the Pacific Northwest to play Seattle Sounders. This will be one of the toughest tests of the season for Austin as Seattle heads the Western Conference tonight with 17 points from just 7 games. Seattle is the only team in the Western Conference without a loss.
Austin FC take last place in the Western Conference tonight with Dallas FC and Austin have lost three games in a row.
Austin has been suspended for the last two games, and in order to create more scoring opportunities, head coach Josh Wolff has named his seventh starting grid in as many games.
Defender Julio Cascante joins Jhohan Romaña, who was replaced with an injury in the first half of last week’s loss in Nashville. Diego Fagundez, who has scored twice this season, starts in midfield instead of injured rookie Daniel Pereira and with striker Jon Gallagher ahead of Danny Hoesen.
Goalkeeper Brad Stuver and left winger Cecilio Domínguez are the only two Austin FC players to have played all seven games.
For Seattle, goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland’s defensive lineup and defenders Yeimar Gómez Andrade, Xavier Arreaga and Nouhou start together for the third year in a row, while forward Freddy Montero and his 75 career goals start for the first time this season.
– Cameron Drummond
Start of XI for Austin FC at Seattle Sounders
Austin FC: Brad Stuver, Jan Kolmanič, Matt Besler, Julio Cascante, Nick Lima, Tomás Pochettino, Alex Ring, Diego Fagundez, Cecilio Domínguez, Jon Gallagher, Jared Stroud.
– Mike Craven
Match info for Austin FC at Seattle Sounders
Sunday game
Austin FC at Seattle Sounders, 8:30 p.m. CDT, Lumen Field, Seattle, Wash.
TV / radio: FS1 / 97.5 FM (English) or KLQB 104.3-HD2 (Spanish)
About the series: This is the first meeting between Austin FC and Seattle Sounders. Founded in 2009, the Sounders provide a blueprint for what Austin FC aims to achieve in the first 12 years of its existence. Austin FC will face Seattle twice in 2021. The Sounders will travel to Q2 Stadium on July 22nd.
About Austin FC: Austin FC go into the game after losing three games after scoring six points in their first three games. The problems for Josh Wolff’s club are insulting. Verde and Black haven’t scored a goal against Minnesota United since the opening minutes of the first half, and that was three games ago. The Oaks lost 2-0 to LA Galaxy and 1-0 in Nashville. Only three players have scored in six games for Austin FC. With six points, Austin FC ranks 11th out of 13 teams in the Western Conference. Austin FC midfielder Daniel Pereira is on the injured list which means he will miss the game.
More:Veteran defender Julio Cascante is ready to return to the Pacific Northwest
About Seattle: The Sounders are a model of permanence. Seattle has only hired two head coaches since joining the league in 2009. The squad stays constant from year to year, as do the results. Seattle got off to its best start in franchise history, scoring 17 top division points in seven games. That’s three points more than any other team in the league playing in the games this weekend.
– Mike Craven
More:Craven’s Corner: Questions from Austin FC were answered prior to the trip to Seattle
Estimated start of XI for Austin FC
– Mike Craven