Each Major League Soccer matchday in 2021, the KeyBank Scouting Report will give you a snapshot of the Portland Timbers’ next opponent. Fresh from a 1-1 draw on the road against Sporting Kansas City Wednesday, the Portland Timbers continue their away journey with a visit to Texas to face Austin FC on Saturday, Aug. 21 at Q2 Stadium (6pm PT, FOX 12 PLUS).
Team Form
Sitting at last in the Western Conference on 16 points, Austin FC have a record of 4-11-4. Most recently, they lost 2-1 to Vancouver Whitecaps FC which was the team's third straight loss and sixth in their last seven games.
Saturday marks Portland's second trip to Austin this year as they previously lost 4-1 there on July 1.
In Attack
Austin DP Cecilio Domínguez still leads the team with four goals and two assists while midfielder Diego Fagundez has three goals and one assist. Midfielder Jared Stroud leads the team with three assists.
While Austin's 14 goals scored is the lowest in MLS, they recently signed two new forwards: Argentine DP Sebastián Driussi comes to Texas from Zenit St. Petersburg while Senegalese forward Moussa Djitté was signed as part of the league's U22 Initiative. Djitté has yet to make an appearance for the team but Driussi has an assist in three appearances.
In Defense
Former Timbers centerback Julio Cascante has made 16 appearances for Austin (13 starts) and is third on the team with 21 interceptions. Former U.S. international Matt Besler has appeared in all but two of his team's matches (17 starts) and is first on the club with 25 interceptions.
in goal, Brad Stuver has played every minute of the 2021 campaign earning four clean sheets.
