Austin FC continue a six-match homestand when they welcome the Colorado Rapids to the Q2 Stadium.
The Verde and Black lost 1-0 to Seattle last time out, their second straight defeat while the Rapids were shut out 3-0 by Real Salt Lake, but sit fourth in the Western Conference standings while Austin are 13th.
Team news
Danny Hoesen will miss out as he continues to recover from a hip injury. Nick Lima is also absent after a significant hamstring injury. Forward Aaron Schoenfeld underwent a minor procedure on his left knee and his return date is unknown, but the Verde and Black did sign attacking midfielder Sebastian Driussi from Russian side Zenit St. Petersburg.
Colorado will have two new players on their squad: midfielder Marc-Anthony Kaye, acquired from LAFC and forward Dominique Badji, returning after a spell with Nashville SC. Badji is available for selection while Kaye is with Canada at the Gold Cup. midfielder Kellyn Acosta, forward Jonathan Lewis and defender Sam Vines are all with Team USA as they prepare for the Gold Cup final.
Danny Wilson picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in the loss to Real Salt Lake and will serve a one-match ban. Younes Namli underwent ankle surgery last month and will be out for the rest of the season.
Predicted lineups
Austin FC: Stuver; Jiménez, Cascante, Besler, Komanic; Pochettino, Fagundez, Ring; Stroud, Dominguez, Manneh
Colorado: Yarbrough; Trusty, Aboubakar, Beitashur, Rosenberry; Warner, Price, Mezquida; Bassett, Shinyashiki, Barrios
Ones to watch
Cecilo Dominguez and Diego Fagundez lead the Verde and Black with three goals apiece, while Jared Stroud leads the club with three assists. Goalkeeper Brad Stuver is second in MLS with 60 saves, and his .800 save percentage is the third-highest in the league among goalkeepers with at least 10 saves.
Colorado midfielder Jack Price is tied for fifth in MLS with five assists while forward Michael Barrios is second in the league with three game-winning assists. The Rapids are also the only team in the Western Conference to post three clean sheets on the road.
Previous meeting
The only match between the two sides resulted in Austin's first-ever win in franchise history, a 3-1 victory at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The hosts took a 36th-minute lead as Price delivered a ball that Andre Shinyashaki headed past Stuver to make it 1-0.
The Verde and Black struck three times in the space of 12 minutes in the second half. Stroud crossed for Fagundez, who headed home for Austin's first-ever goal, Dominguez gave the visitors a 2-1 lead, assisted by Jon Gallagher and he completed his brace and the scoring in the 71st minute.
How to watch
The match will be streamed nationally on ESPN+. The CW Austin, Unimas Austin and UnivisionAustin. com will have full coverage in Austin while Altitude will carry all of the action in Colorado. Kick-off is scheduled for 9pm Eastern time.