This is going to be a great matchup. Austin is playing some of the best football in MLS right now. Going on the road mid-week and taking three points off LAFC was massive. Austin had a tough break in Salt Lake City when Pereira received a red card in the 47th minute. They were well on track to winning that tough road matchup, but red cards are incredibly difficult to overcome.
On the other side, this revamped young Orlando squad is playing great. One massive advantage for Orlando is their keeper. Pedro Gallese is a top five keeper in MLS and I’d make the argument for him being third. Gallese is the starting keeper for the Peruvian national team. He has kept some of the best talent in the world out of the net. Goals in this game will be at a premium.
Austin went out this winter and brought in Argentinian striker Max Urruti. He has only contributed four goals so far this year, but the attention he commands has freed up the midfield to do their jobs better. A prime example of this is what Diego Fagundez has been able to do with his service. Fagundez has an MLS leading seven assists this year. I will be looking for him to contribute today at home. Sebastian Driussi has also been able to thrive under Austin’s improved lineup. Driussi had five goals last year in 17 matches. This year he has found the back of the net seven times already. I like him to keep cooking today and get Austin on the score sheet.
I was worried about what Orlando would look like after last season. They lost 2 world class players in Daryl Dike and Nani. Orlando hasn’t been able to replace their goals, but with Gallese in net and improved play from the midfield, they have been able to stay in low scoring grinder matches. It’s not always pretty, but Orlando has been getting results. I think 22year old Facundo Torres from Uruguay is going to be a nice piece of the puzzle. Expect to see him on the left wing tonight. Urso Junior has been playing quality football and should be starting at the right wing. I don’t know if Pato or Ercan Kara will be the starting striker, but Orlando has been evenly distributing goals across the top. I’m not confident recommending anyone for a goal on Orlando, but I think they find the back of the net today.
Note: If you don’t mind swallowing juice, take the BTTS straight. I personally won’t stomach - 160 as a single. Although, it could make a nice parlay piece. Best of luck tonight! Lets go Austin!
