Austin must turn draws into wins during play-off push, says Sabovic

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ShareTwelfth-place Austin FC host 11th-place San Diego FC as both teams push for a play-off spot in the MLS' Western Conference.Austin FC midfielder Besard Sabovic believes they "need to start winning if we're going to make it to the play-offs".Austin are 12th in the Western Conference, just two points off the postseason places and one point behind upcoming opponents San Diego FC.After a goalless draw with FC Dallas last time out, Austin are unbeaten in seven games in MLS, though four of those games have ended as a draw.With just eight games to go in the regular season, Sabovic is determined to win as many as possible in their search for a play-off spot."We're seven games [unbeaten], and we should do everything we can to continue this streak, but of course, it's getting closer and closer," said Sabovic."The season's ending soon, so we need to start winning if we're going to make it to the playoffs, which is everyone's goal."For the first time this season, San Diego earned a result in a league match they trailed in the 75th minute or later when they played to a 2-2 draw with Inter Miami on Sunday.Dating back to last season, San Diego had lost 13 straight regular-season matches when trailing in the 75th minute or later.Despite the result against the reigning MLS Cup champions, San Diego remain winless in their last four MLS games (D1 L3) ahead of facing Austin.PLAYERS TO WATCHAustin FC – Jon GallagherIn the 0-0 draw with Dallas, Jon Gallagher registered two of Austin's three shots on target, tying for the most in any of his 200 career MLS regular-season matches.As a team, the Verde have not attempted more than three shots on target in any of their last five MLS matches.San Diego FC – Anders DreyerAnders Dreyer scored both of San Diego's goals against Miami, his 18th MLS regular-season game with multiple goal contributions.The only other player with at least that many such games since the beginning of last season is Lionel Messi (23).MATCH PREDICTION: AUSTIN FC WINAustin are on a seven-match unbeaten streak in MLS play (W3 D4); it is tied for the longest regular-season unbeaten run in their history, matching a seven-game streak in June-July 2022.However, San Diego beat Austin 5-0 when the teams met in May, the largest margin of defeat in any match in Austin's club history.San Diego have three different wins by five or more goals in their two MLS regular seasons, tied for the most by any MLS team over the last two seasons (with the Philadelphia Union and Vancouver Whitecaps).OPTA WIN PROBABILITYAustin FC – 42.2%Draw – 24.1%San Diego FC – 33.7%Twelfth-place Austin FC host 11th-place San Diego FC as both teams push for a play-off spot in the MLS' Western Conference.Austin FC midfielder Besard Sabovic believes they "need to start winning if we're going to make it to the play-offs".Austin are 12th in the Western Conference, just two points off the postseason places and one point behind upcoming opponents San Diego FC.After a goalless draw with FC Dallas last time out, Austin are unbeaten in seven games in MLS, though four of those games have ended as a draw.With just eight games to go in the regular season, Sabovic is determined to win as many as possible in their search for a play-off spot."We're seven games [unbeaten], and we should do everything we can to continue this streak, but of course, it's getting closer and closer," said Sabovic."The season's ending soon, so we need to start winning if we're going to make it to the playoffs, which is everyone's goal."For the first time this season, San Diego earned a result in a league match they trailed in the 75th minute or later when they played to a 2-2 draw with Inter Miami on Sunday.Dating back to last season, San Diego had lost 13 straight regular-season matches when trailing in the 75th minute or later.Despite the result against the reigning MLS Cup champions, San Diego remain winless in their last four MLS games (D1 L3) ahead of facing Austin.PLAYERS TO WATCHAustin FC – Jon GallagherIn the 0-0 draw with Dallas, Jon Gallagher registered two of Austin's three shots on target, tying for the most in any of his 200 career MLS regular-season matches.As a team, the Verde have not attempted more than three shots on target in any of their last five MLS matches.San Diego FC – Anders DreyerAnders Dreyer scored both of San Diego's goals against Miami, his 18th MLS regular-season game with multiple goal contributions.The only other player with at least that many such games since the beginning of last season is Lionel Messi (23).MATCH PREDICTION: AUSTIN FC WINAustin are on a seven-match unbeaten streak in MLS play (W3 D4); it is tied for the longest regular-season unbeaten run in their history, matching a seven-game streak in June-July 2022.However, San Diego beat Austin 5-0 when the teams met in May, the largest margin of defeat in any match in Austin's club history.San Diego have three different wins by five or more goals in their two MLS regular seasons, tied for the most by any MLS team over the last two seasons (with the Philadelphia Union and Vancouver Whitecaps).OPTA WIN PROBABILITYAustin FC – 42.2%Draw – 24.1%San Diego FC – 33.7%