Seattle is six points out of the playoffs and they host Austin at home. Austin has fallen back in the race for the supporters shield but is still a force to be reckoned with. I’m not going to lie, I was ready to write Seattle off in the last match vs Houston when they missed a PK to take the lead. Then Freddy Montero promptly shut me up in the 76th minute.
Seattle has a great home crowd and is an impressive 8-1-5 in their building. If you want to be a playoff team, you absolutely have to win at home. Today it’s basically win or you will be on the outside looking in and needing Portland, RSL, and LA Galaxy to drop points. Someone is going to have to step up and put the superman cape on today for Seattle, and it feels like Ruidiaz. Raul has battled a lot of injuries this season and being 32 has probably hampered his rehab abilities. Last year the Puruvian national was able to net 17 goals in 27 games, so he definitely has the finishing quality needed to put the team on his back. Ruidiaz has the leg to finish from anywhere on the pitch as well. Last year he caught the keeper off his line and put in an absolut rocket from the halfline. I’ll take Ruidiaz to score tonight.
Austin recently signed a multi year deal with PSV to exchange information on scouting, education, and player development. This is huge for Austin as a new MLS club. This will help build the academy and has the potential to keep Austin a top team in the west for years to come. PSV has always done a great job developing talent and is regularly a top European club competing for a Champions league spot. A lot of people have speculated that Driussi will be on the move this winter. The MVP candidate previously played for Zenit before coming to Austin. His 20 goals in 29 games so far this year warrants attention from European clubs. Austin was shut out 3-0 vs Nashville and it was the first game since July 1st that Driussi’s name didn’t appear on the score sheet. He took a slight knock in the Nashville game and is listed as questionable. If he gets on the pitch tonight, expect him to contribute a goal or an assist.