Austin FC look to build momentum vs. struggling Quakes

Austin FC will attempt to build on their best performance of the season when they host the struggling San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.

Austin (1-2-3, six points) produced a 2-1 home victory over Lone Star State rival FC Dallas on March 30 to find the win column for the first time in 2024. Julio Cascante and Diego Rubio had Austin's goals, the latter in the 70th minute off a flawless feed into the scoring area by team captain Sebastian Driussi.

Austin coach Josh Wolff called his club's performance "a much more complete game from start to finish."

"The intent and the way that we started the game with what we wanted to do to Dallas was extremely good," Wolff said. "Our execution was quite good."

For Austin's players, the validation of three points was a long time coming after a sluggish start.

"We've been so close -- we've been right there almost getting that feeling," Austin defender Jon Gallagher said. "The win felt like a culmination of all the hard work. I thought we absolutely dominated them."

The Earthquakes (1-5-0, three points) look to bounce back from a 2-1 loss in Houston on March 30. San Jose grabbed the early lead when Bruno Wilson headed home a corner kick from Cristian Espinoza in the game's opening minute.

But the game turned when Quakes striker Preston Judd was assessed a red card in the 34th minute, forcing the visitors to play the rest of the way a man down.

"We've been in the lead in four of our six games, and that's really positive that we can initiate and get leads," San Jose coach Luchi Gonzalez said. "Sustaining it in 90 minutes, through instances in the game, through flows, that's something we have to keep growing and maturing in.

"We have great players that I know are responding and will find a way to change this momentum."

Austin has never defeated San Jose, losing twice and drawing five times, including 1-1 and 2-2 ties last season.

--Field Level Media