One loss from elimination
Austin FC are 14th in the West on 31 points after 30 games, and the playoff door is nearly shut (2). Five games without a win, 0-3-2, including three straight defeats (2). Your last three: 1–4 at home to Nashville SC, 1–3 at LAFC, 1–2 at home to Vancouver Whitecaps.
Next up is Sporting Kansas City at Sporting Park on Saturday, 7:30 p.m. CT, streaming on Apple TV in English and Spanish (1). Whatever slim path is left runs through Kansas City.
Bell and Kolmanič are out
Jon Bell and Žan Kolmanič are both ruled out for the trip (1). Two names off the back line, no replacements announced. Stefan Cleveland and Ervin Torres are not on the unavailability list.
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Wolff could line up against you
Owen Wolff has returned to training after missing Sporting's last four matches through injury and could face his former club for the first time on Saturday (2). Wolff and Stefan Cleveland both left Austin for SKC. Familiar faces in the wrong shirts.
Torres gets national recognition
Ervin Torres was named to this year's MLS 22 Under 22 this week, alongside Wolff (2). One of the few bright spots in a season going the wrong way.
SKC want a first-ever sweep
Sporting won the May meeting at Q2 Stadium 2–1, Stephen Afrifa coming off the bench to score an 82nd-minute winner (2). A win on Saturday would be SKC's first-ever sweep of Austin FC. After that, Real Salt Lake at home on Thursday, October 29, then LA Galaxy away on Saturday, October 31.
