Sabovic urges Austin to turn draws into wins in playoff push ahead of San Diego clash

Austin host San Diego in crucial Western Conference battle

Twelfth-place Austin FC host 11th-place San Diego FC as both teams push for a play-off spot in MLS' Western Conference. Austin sit 12th in the West, just two points off the postseason places and one point behind Saturday's opponents San Diego.

Unbeaten run needs winning edge

After a goalless draw with FC Dallas last time out, Austin are unbeaten in seven MLS games, though four of those have ended as a draw. With just eight games to go in the regular season, midfielder Besard Sabovic is determined to convert the run into points.

"We're seven games [unbeaten], and we should do everything we can to continue this streak, but of course, it's getting closer and closer," said Sabovic. "The season's ending soon, so we need to start winning if we're going to make it to the playoffs, which is everyone's goal."

Sabovic believes Austin "need to start winning if we're going to make it to the play-offs" despite the unbeaten streak.

San Diego end long late-game losing streak

For the first time this season, San Diego earned a result in a league match they trailed in the 75th minute or later when they played to a 2-2 draw with Inter Miami on Sunday. Dating back to last season, San Diego had lost 13 straight regular-season matches when trailing in the 75th minute or later.

Despite the result against the reigning MLS Cup champions, San Diego remain winless in their last four MLS games (D1 L3) ahead of facing Austin.

Players to watch

Austin FC – Jon Gallagher
In the 0-0 draw with Dallas, Jon Gallagher registered two of Austin's three shots on target, tying for the most in any of his 200 career MLS regular-season matches. As a team, the Verde have not attempted more than three shots on target in any of their last five MLS matches.

San Diego FC – Anders Dreyer
Anders Dreyer scored both of San Diego's goals against Miami, his 18th MLS regular-season game with multiple goal contributions. The only other player with at least that many such games since the beginning of last season is Lionel Messi (23).

Match context and prediction

Austin are on a seven-match unbeaten streak in MLS play (W3 D4); it is tied for the longest regular-season unbeaten run in their history, matching a seven-game streak in June-July 2022. However, San Diego beat Austin 5-0 when the teams met in May, the largest margin of defeat in any match in Austin's club history.

San Diego have three different wins by five or more goals in their two MLS regular seasons, tied for the most by any MLS team over the last two seasons with the Philadelphia Union and Vancouver Whitecaps.

Opta win probability: Austin FC 42.2%, Draw 24.1%, San Diego FC 33.7%. Match prediction: Austin FC win.