Austin FC vs. New York City FC: Can Verde get home win while waiting for reinforcements?

After playing three matches in one week following the MLS international break in early June, Austin FC has enjoyed a brief respite from a grueling summer schedule. Saturday's game against visiting New York FC marks just the second game in a span of 13 days, which should give a short-handed roster some help.

Can some fresh legs help the Verde & Black bounce back from a lackluster effort in a 2-0 road loss to Sporting Kansas City a week ago? Here’s what you need to know about the match as Austin FC (7-6-8, 27 points) faces Eastern Conference contender New York City FC for the only time this season:

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Roster help still weeks away

Austin FC continues to tread water in the Western Conference while awaiting reinforcements later in the month. The Verde enters Saturday in 10th place in the standings, but they're just two points back of a playoff spot and only four points behind fifth-place Vancouver.

The next couple of weeks could be harrowing, considering that Verde's thin roster won't have Dani Pereira and Julio Cascante, who are competing in the Copa America tournament. Pereira's Venezualan squad has impressed and looks primed for a long run through the knockout stage. Cascante and Costa Rica have been eliminated, which means Cascante could return to his role as a starting center back for Austin FC sooner than later.

Now, about those impending arrivals, who won't be able to sign until the the MLS summer transfer window officially opens on July 18. Ghanian winger Osman Bukari, fresh off a starring role for Red Star Belgrade in Serbia, has signed for record money as Austin FC's newest designated player. The club has also acquired Ukrainian center back Oleksandr Svatok, who spent much of his last match with his national team at the European Championship man-marking Belgium star Romalu Lukaku in a grueling 0-0 group-match loss that eliminated Ukraine from the tournament. The team will also welcome Danish veteran right back Mikkel Desler, which will add to the wealth of defensive options for Verde coach Josh Wolff.

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No offense? No all-star selections

While Austin FC's stout defense seems primed to get even stronger later this month, offensive woes continue to stymie the squad. Austin FC ranks last in MLS with 8.2 shot attempts and 2.4 shots on target per match as well as expected goals. In last week's disheartening loss to Sporting Kansas City, the Verde tallied just two shot attempts and nary a shot on goal.

That dearth of darts on target partially explains why Austin FC didn't have anyone selected to the MLS All-Star game for the first time since its inaugural season in 2021. Keeper Brad Stuver may have had the strongest argument, considering his 75.7% save rate ranks sixth in the league.

The Verde will have an all-star presence later in the month, however. Austin FC Academy defender Gavin Wolff, the son of Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff and the younger brother of defender Owen Wolff, was selected to compete in the 2024 MLS NEXT All-Star Game July 23. Gavin Wolff, 15, has played with both the Austin FC U-17 team and Austin FC II this season and made his professional debut in an MLS NEXT Pro match in June.

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Stopping those Pigeons?

Looking for some positive statistical trends for Saturday? NYC FC (11-2-8, 35 points) is winless in its previous five regular-season away contests against the Western Conference and have not won a road fixture against the West in two years. The Pigeons also have failed to score in five road games this season, which should bolster the confidence of an Austin FC backline that has played well.

But NYC FC has plenty of momentum on its side while winning seven of its previous 10 matches, including Wednesday's 2-0 win over CF Montreal. Winger Alonso Martinez, a Costa Rican national, scored both goals against Montreal and is tied for team-high honors with eight goals despite playing in just 14 matches.

Austin FC predicted lineup

Forward: Diego Rubio

Midfield: CJ Fodrey, Owen Wolff, Sebastián Driussi, Alex Ring, Jáder Obrian

Defense: Zan Kolmanic, Brendan Hines-Ike, Matt Hedges, Hector Jiménez

Goalie: Brad Stuver

Austin FC vs. New York City FC prediction

New York City FC 1, Austin FC 1: The Verde just don't seem to have the firepower to overwhelm any side at the moment, but a scrappy defense and some good old withering Texas heat should be enough to slow down the visitors from Gotham.

Saturday's match

Austin FC (7-8-6, 27 points) vs. New York City FC (11-8-2, 35 points), 7:30 p.m., Q2 Stadium, Apple TV, 97.5, 104.3 (Spanish)