TFC Talk: Austin FC visit to BMO Field a big outing for the Reds

Toronto FC continues its push for a playoff spot when it hosts Austin FC on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET/Apple TV & TSN).  

Like TFC, Austin (9-11-7) is fighting for the post-season berth, as it sits 11th in the Western Conference, two spots and two points behind Minnesota United. The Texas-based club has just one win in its last five MLS matches with three losses, including a 1-0 home defeat to the Vancouver Whitecaps on Aug. 31 in its previous outing. 

Argentinian DP Sebastián Driussi and Colombian winger Jáder Obrian lead the team in scoring this season with five goals apiece, while Finnish midfielder Alex Ring is the side's top playmaker with seven assists. American goalkeeper Brad Stuver has started all 27 games during the 2024 campaign and is tied for fourth in the league with seven clean sheets. 

Austin's roster features former TFC centre back Matt Hedges. Saturday's game marks his return to BMO Field for the first time since being traded to Austin last summer. 

TFC Republic spoke to Phil West of the Verde All Day website about Saturday's game between Toronto FC and D.C. United at BMO Field, D.C.'s season so far, and much more.  

Listen to the full audio clip below: 

Highlights:

• 00:05 – Austin FC plagued by offensive problems
• 02:25 – Evaluating The Verde and Black's season so far
• 04:32 – Is coach Josh Wolff's job at stake?
• 06:12 – Austin in a real crunch to qualify for the playoffs
• 07:35 – Ex-TFC defender Matt Hedges returns to BMO Field
• 09:31 – No clear cut season MVP for Austin in 2024
• 10:42 – Newcomers making an impact for Austin
• 12:19 – Previewing Saturday's game vs. Toronto at BMO Field

NOTE: After recording this interview, Phil emailed me as he wanted to offer a different answer to my question about the club's MVP this season. Here's his response:

"It's Brad Stuver. He's one of the most underrated goalkeepers in the league, and if not for another in a series of superb shot-stopping seasons he's had, Austin FC would be in a much worse spot. His recent PK save against Hany Mukhtar, of a penalty earned just 75 seconds into the match, bailed the team out and transformed what could have been a gut-punch loss into a hope-giving win." 

(Top photo courtesy of Lucas Kschischang/Toronto FC)

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