Whitecaps vs Austin preview (H, 4/11/25)
Who cares about watching Messi when you could watch Nick Wolff? IN THAT SEXY AWAY KIT?!
Vancouver return home from another trip to Mexico, this time stunning Pumas UNAM in the dying embers to reach the CONCACAF Champions Cup Semi final. Vancouver, although undefeated in four, will look to get rid of the grey spots on their sheets having drawn three of those four encounters; A 0-0 away to Toronto, 1-1 to Pumas at home, and 2-2 to Pumas away.
Austin have been a pleasant surprise this season, under new management, the Verde and Black sit currently fourth in the western conference, winning three of the last four in a row, 1-0 away to LAFC, 2-1 to San Diego at home, and 1-0 away (again) to St. Louis, eventually held to a 0-0 by the Timbers to end their win streak.
The sacking of Josh Wolff on October 6th, 2024 came to no surprise as Austin failed to qualify for the playoffs for the second year in a row. In preparation for the 2025 season, Austin FC announced the hiring of Nico Estévez as the new gaffer. Estévez’s style of play is primarily categorized by and aggressive and direct approach, relying on a kick and rush style (long balls over the top, crosses) and a willingness to take long shots. They are not particularly possession-heavy, and instead focus on quick transitions and capitalizing on opportunities in the opponent's penalty box. While Estévez’s style has worked well this season, it has shown flaws against possession based teams like Vancouver.
INJURY REPORT
Austin:
OUT: Micah Burton (leg)
OUT: Mikkel Desler (hamstring)
OUT: Diego Rubio (hamstring)
OUT: Ilie Sánchez (hamstring)
Vancouver:
OUT: Sam Adekugbe (quad)
OUT: Ryan Gauld (knee)
OUT: Mathías Laborda (hamstring)
OUT: Jayden Nelson (hamstring)
Vancouver has faired well even without Gauld and Nelson, and Sorensen will look to exploit Austin’s flaws. I’m predicting a 3-1 win.
