It’s the ultimate test for Austin FC on Saturday when it comes to the Western Conference.
The Verde & Black play the conference's top team on the road when they face the Los Angeles Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park in their next-to-last game of the season.
There’s not much at stake for Austin FC other than pride, while the hosts are looking to lock up the No. 1 seed in the playoffs and home-field advantage through the conference final.
Here’s what you need to know about the match as the Verde & Black (10-13-9, 39 points, 10th West) play another late-night match on the West coast following Wednesday’s 1-0 win at Portland :
Lineup questions
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this match for Austin FC will be the lineup coach Josh Wolff uses and whether it includes new designated player Osman Bukari.
It likely will as the the club needs Bukari to continue to adjust to its system and personnel, but he was subpar during the win over Portland and this offers a bounceback opportunity against a loaded roster.
Another thing to watch is if Guilherme Biro starts at left back.
Aside from Jon Gallagher, Biro has been the team’s ironman this season with 25 starts and five appearances off the bench. He’s mostly been good, and at a salary of $200,000 is one of the best bargain signings of the MLS offseason. But he could also use a game off, and backup Zan Kolmanic needs some game action.
More: Life after soccer starts to become a reality for older Austin FC, MLS players
There could be several changes from Wednesday with the club on two days rest and playing its third game in eight days.
Don’t be surprised to see Ethan Finlay start on one of the wings with Jáder Obrian likely unavailable after playing more than 80 minutes against the Timbers, while Gyasi Zardes, Alex Ring and Owen Wolff all figure to start after brief appearances Wednesday.
Center backs Brendan Hines-Ike and Matt Hedges also have fresh legs and figure to see significant playing time.
Unlike earlier in the season, depth is no longer a problem for Austin FC.
A glance at the Los Angeles Galaxy
Both clubs are coming off wins as the Galaxy took a crucial 3-1 win at Colorado on Wednesday.
Los Angeles features one of the top rosters in the MLS and has four double-digit scorers in Dejan Jovelijic (14 goals), Gabriel Pec (14), Ricard Puig (13) and Joseph Paintsil (10). Pec and Puig both also have 10 assists.
Austin FC coach Josh Wolff and Los Angeles coach Greg Vanney played for the U.S. men’s national team during the same time in the mid-2000s and were on the 2005 team that won the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Both have guided their clubs since 2021, with Vanney previously leading Toronto for five-plus seasons.
In what might have been its best performance of the season, Austin FC won the first match between the two clubs 2-0 April 27 at Q2 Stadium.
International men of soccer
Austin FC will have three players involved in games during the international break the next two weeks.
Dani Pereira was called up by Venezuela for its CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers vs. Argentina and Paraguay, Oleksandr Svatok will represent Ukraine for its UEFA Nations League matches against Georgia and the Czech Republic, and Julio Cascante will suit up for Costa Rica in CONCACAF Nations League contests vs. Suriname and Guatemala.
Austin FC vs. Los Angeles Galaxy prediction
Los Angeles Galaxy 2, Austin FC 1: It’s going to be tough to get a result here for Austin FC. Los Angeles has a stacked roster and will be motivated by the opportunity to take another step towards winning the West.
Saturday's match
Austin FC (10-13-9, 39 points, 10th West) at Los Angeles Galaxy (18-7-7, 61 points, first West), 9:30 p.m., Dignity Health Sports Park, Apple TV, 97.5, 104.3 (Spanish)
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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin FC vs. Los Angeles Galaxy: Our prediction as season winds down for Verde & Black
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