The Vancouver Whitecaps are atop the Western Conference, and Austin FC are the stingiest side in the 30-team league.
The Whitecaps will try to solve the Austin defense when the clubs meet Saturday night in Vancouver.
The Whitecaps (5-1-1, 16 points) aren’t just excelling in MLS play, but they have also advanced to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Vancouver will face Inter Miami in the semis.
In MLS play, Vancouver beat the visiting Colorado Rapids 2-0 last Saturday. Brian White and Emmanuel Sabbi scored the Whitecaps’ goals.
First-year coach Jesper Sorensen is exuberant over the strong start and having the play carry over into Champions Cup matches.
“It’s amazing being part of something like this,” Sorensen said. “Getting all this so early on, for me as a new coach is unbelievable.
“But mostly, I’d say I’m happy for everybody. I’m happy for everybody because a lot of people have been working hard in this club for many years, and getting to this stage in the CONCACAF is not normal. And we really have to celebrate and enjoy it.”
Vancouver is 5-1-2 all-time against Austin FC, including a road victory and home draw last season.
But just scoring a goal against Austin has been a big feat this season.
Austin (4-2-1, 13 points) has allowed just three goals and goalkeeper Brad Stuver has recorded four shutouts.
“We are the best defense in the league right now,” Austin first-year coach Nico Estevez said. “But it’s teamwork. It’s not just Brad and the back line, it’s teamwork.”
Austin sits in fourth place in the West but would probably be higher if it wasn’t having trouble scoring goals. Austin has found the back of the net just five times.
“The goals are going to come,” Estevez said. “We’re going to create more chances.”
Austin played the visiting Portland Timbers to a scoreless tie last Saturday for its second straight shutout.
But the task this weekend is more difficult.
“In this game, Vancouver, it’s impressive what they’re doing,” Estevez said. “We have to go there and make it a really hard game for them and try to get the win.”
–Field Level Media
