Austin FC finding better offensive rhythm ahead of trip to CF Montreal

Austin FC look to continue their newly found offensive spark when they visit CF Montreal on Saturday.

The Verde (9-8-8, 35 points) have moved into a Western Conference playoff position on the strength of a five-match (2-0-3) unbeaten streak in regular-season play.

Austin's 24 goals are the second fewest in MLS. Brandon Vazquez remains the club's scoring leader with five goals despite suffering a season-ending torn ACL on July 9.

While head coach Nico Estevez admitted that Vazquez's injury "creates a different situation" for Austin FC, he has been impressed by how his club has picked up the offensive slack.

"In the last eight (regular-season) matches, we have scored 13 goals, which is more than half of what we had scored previously with everyone healthy," Estevez said. "Therefore, I believe that the team is making progress."

Owen Wolff has been the biggest recent contributor with three goals in his last four matches. The Verde will be missing a key member of the midfield Saturday, however, as Daniel Pereira is suspended due to caution accumulation.

Montreal (4-15-8, 20 points) has scored 25 goals to Austin FC's 24, but the Verde have been much better defensively. CF Montreal have allowed the fifth-most goals (48) in the league, while Austin's 29 goals conceded is tied for the second-fewest total.

Prince Owusu leads Montreal in both goals and goal contributions (11 goals, 4 assists).

CF Montreal is on a season-best three-match (1-0-2) unbeaten streak, with draws in their last two home matches. Montreal is 1-7-5 on its own field this season, with a league-low eight home points.

With the playoffs out of reach, most of CF Montreal's focus has been on the team's rebuilding efforts. Montreal traded for Real Salt Lake defender Bode Hidalgo on Thursday and is reportedly close to acquiring Spanish midfielder Ivan Jaime.

In related moves, Montreal traded veterans Caden Clark (to D.C. United) and Joel Waterman (to the Chicago Fire) this week in exchange for over $1.2 million in cash and general allocation funds.

The Clark trade "is in line with our sports strategy and gives us additional flexibility in this transfer window," said Montreal managing director Luca Saputo in a media release.

--Field Level Media