Los Angeles FC head coach Steve Cherundolo is hoping to keep up their “contagious” profitable feeling after they journey to the Q2 Stadium to tackle Austin FC.
The Black and Gold are unbeaten of their earlier six MLS fixtures after rising 3–1 victors away at Orlando Metropolis final day out to maintain them inside placing distance of league leaders Actual Salt Lake.
Cherundolo’s crew have the consolation of an additional recreation in hand over the encircling sides, however the 45-year-old needs an improved efficiency after their show final week.
“Successful is contagious, and profitable is vital,” Cherundolo mentioned. “Successful away from house is a whole lot of enjoyable.
“It definitely wasn’t one among our prettiest video games, however we had options at instances, however not on a regular basis. We have been hoping to handle our recreation just a little higher in possession, however we have been unable to do this.
“That’s what we’ll take away for one thing to enhance on, however the outcome, the trouble are some large pluses to remove from tonight.”
Goodnight pic.twitter.com/iDuO2MqBAl
— LAFC (@LAFC) June 16, 2024
In the meantime, Austin are eighth within the Western Convention having suffered a 3rd consecutive defeat as they went all the way down to the Colorado Rapids.
Austin are winless of their final three video games towards their opponents, and head coach Josh Wolff expects one other tough encounter on Thursday.
“LAFC are among the best groups within the league,” Wolff started. “They’ve sufficient weapons, and their attacking gamers are ruthless and are extraordinarily harmful.
“For me they’re the perfect crew within the league as soon as once more. I feel they’ve a lot expertise and a lot depth which fits a good distance on this league. If it’s a tough day, they nonetheless have gamers to make performs.
“We now have acquired to do higher with our probabilities. Our key gamers need to carry out and execute.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Austin FC – Sebastian Driussi
The Austin captain will hope to mark his a hundredth look for the membership with a aim, and is at present the highest scorer for the Verde and Black’s with 5 objectives.
LAFC – Mateusz Bogusz
Mateusz Bogusz has been concerned in a aim in six consecutive league matches with 4 objectives and two assists.
Solely Carlos Vela (11 in 2019-20) has produced extra in LAFC historical past, whereas solely two gamers (Luciano Acosta – 9, Lionel Messi – eight) have had an extended streak in MLS this season.
MATCH PREDICTION: LAFC WIN
LAFC enter the competition because the favourites to emerge with the three factors.
Cherundolo’s facet have received eight consecutive matches in all competitions. The one MLS crew to win 9 straight matches outright (excluding breakaway shootout wins) in all competitions have been the Seattle Sounders in 2018.
The Black and Gold’s are unbeaten of their final three conferences with Austin scoring at the very least three objectives in every of these triumphs.
Austin’s final victory over their opponents got here in 2022, with the Texas facet profitable each of their MLS encounters with LAFC that season.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Austin FC – 27.6%
Draw – 24.1%
LAFC – 48.3%
