Owen Wolff, Austin FC set sights on expansion San Diego FC

Austin FC and 20-year-old attacking prospect Owen Wolff will try to continue their promising start to the season on Sunday afternoon when they face an expansion San Diego FC side that has yet to experience defeat through its first four MLS matches.

Wolff has assisted both goals this season for Austin FC (2-2-0, 6 points), who earned a 1-0 upset win at LAFC last weekend to even their record under first-year manager Nico Estevez.

Wolff's contribution to Guilherme Biro's 11th-minute tally marked the 10th assist of his career, making Wolff the ninth MLS player to reach that feat before his 21st birthday.

"I think this is a good season for him, because of the profile of player that he is, and the profile of player that we don't have like he is," Estevez said. "He is bringing to the table a player that has a really good understanding of playing in between the lines. A really good acceleration and dribbling forward and also has a really good pass in behind the back line."

Wolff's attacking contributions have been enough for an Austin side that has focused on becoming much more rigid defensively under Estevez, conceding only twice so far.

San Diego (2-0-2, 8 points) also has conceded only twice, the latter goal coming early in a 1-1 home draw against 10-man Columbus last Saturday.

Onni Valakari pulled the hosts level in the 69th minute for the first home goal in San Diego's MLS history. Anders Dreyer has scored three times and leads manager Mikey Varas' club, which has won both its away matches.

Both sides will deal with international absences as MLS plays through FIFA's March match window, although San Diego's may be more substantial.

Northern Ireland defender Paddy McNair and Panama midfielder Anibal Godoy had started all four matches for the expansion outfit before leaving the squad this week. The latter captained his nation to a 1-0 victory over the United States in Thursday's CONCACAF Nations League semifinals.

Varas said he just wants to see a consistent intensity level from his developing squad.

"At the end of the day, we're going to have good games and bad games, technically and tactically, because that's life," Varas said. "But what should be non-negotiable is our fight and having that spirit of being humble, being respectful of the game and the opponent and of our community, and making sure we're always giving a huge effort."

--Field Level Media