Three Games From Silverware: Previewing Austin FC @ San Jose Earthquakes in US Open Cup Action
After Austin FC’s weekend clash with LAFC was postponed due to severe flooding in Central Texas, Austin FC is back in US Open Cup action in Southern California to take on the San Jose Earthquakes. Both sides have had contrasting yet oddly similar seasons, and they will meet at PayPal Park late Tuesday night, in what is likely to be another fiery encounter as usual.
Austin FC is well rested, having not played since their away match in Seattle on June 28th, but may lack match fitness, as they have only played once in the last 23 days. With the whole squad match fit as of Friday and a disappointing campaign in the league, Open Cup games are must-wins. If Nico starts any kind of rotated lineup, it won’t be received well among fans, especially since there has not been any schedule congestion of late. We should expect a full-strength lineup going into this game, with all 3 DPs starting up front and some combination of Wolff, Pereira, Šabović, and possibly Ilie in midfield. Depending on the formation Estévez opts for, we could see Jon Gallagher helping out up front, but if Uzuni is back, that is unlikely. At the back, Biro at left-back, Svatok and Hines-Ike at center-back, and Desler on the right are the only real options for Estévez. Obviously, Stuver starts. Whatever the lineup he does roll out, the season somewhat hinges on this game, and a loss could render this the third disappointing season in a row.
The San Jose Earthquakes have had a decent league season so far, with 7 wins, 7 draws, and 7 losses from 21 games. They are the second-highest-scoring team in the whole of MLS with 41 goals, but their defense has been leaky, allowing 33 in 21 games. Their attack of Chicho Arango, Cristian Espinoza, and Josef Martinez, with Preston Judd available off the bench, is bound to cause Austin many problems. The Quakes have often produced chaotic and unexpected results this season; they’ve destroyed Portland and drawn against Miami, yet they have drawn the Galaxy and lost to both SKC and St. Louis. Coming off a 1-1 home draw against the Red Bulls on Saturday night and sitting just 2 points above the playoff line, Bruce Arena will be eager to further San Jose’s US Open Cup run to finally win the fanbase over in his debut season with the Northern California side.
This matchup often produces high-scoring results, yet a clear leader in the series has not yet been determined. Six of the nine games have ended with 4+ goals being scored, and a different six have ended in draws. 0-0, 1-1, 2-2, and 3-3 draws have all happened before, and only one decisive win has ever happened, with a 4-0 win for San Jose at home in late 2021. Since the 2022 season began, Austin has never lost a game to the Earthquakes, home or away, with the overall record being 2 wins, 6 draws, and 1 loss from an Austin point of view.
Kickoff is at 9:30 p.m. CT, and the match can be streamed on Paramount+, or for free on the CBS Golazo Network, which is accessible on the CBS Sports website or the CBS Sports app.
On a side note, the other cup game on Tuesday between Minnesota and Chicago somewhat concerns Austin FC due to the hosting rights should Austin progress. Should Austin progress and Chicago win, Austin FC would host their semi-final match and the final if they make it. If Minnesota wins, Austin would play away in Minnesota for the semis, and the winner of that game would host the final.