AUSTIN, Texas — Austin FC continues its search for the team's first win of 2023 on Saturday against CF Montréal.
The Verde and Black are 1-0 all-time against CF Montreal, winning 1-0 on the road in 2022.
Here are the storylines to be aware of entering this weekend's match:
Julio Cascante's injury
The team announced veteran defender Julio Cascante suffered a severe left adductor strain in the season-opening loss against St. Louis. The injury will not require surgery, but it will sideline a leader along the backline for several weeks. The team said Cascante will be re-evaluated in eight weeks.
"The idea is we have to utilize someone else inside the group," Head Coach Josh Wolff said. "We have to work on who could possibly be there. Nick [Lima], Alex [Ring], those are guys who we could utilize. I think looking internationally, looking around the league, I think we're looking at all those things."
"Julio's news is difficult. That's a tough hit," Wolff added. "He's been so reliable for us over two years, and again, one of our more consistent, better performers."
Kipp Keller's mental state
During the season-opening loss to St. Louis, Austin FC defender Kipp Keller passed the ball backwards to a member of St. Louis – his personal friend, Jared Stroud. Stroud scored an easy goal, making Keller's pass one of the most memorable pro sports mistakes in recent history.
"I think [Kipp's] OK," Wolff said. "We have to ride with him, work through it. You don't avoid it, you run towards it and help him find solutions and overcome it. This happens to players, in all sports, at all levels, and it's unfortunate."
"I like the guys' reaction to him, to run and give him support on the field. I would say pretty much every player was immediately giving him that. I mean, it's tough. It's Jared and Jared's asking for the ball, so it was unfortunate," Wolff continued.
Montréal scouting report
Montréal finished second in the MLS Eastern Conference in 2022 with 65 points total. They advanced to the second round of the playoffs last season but enter this week's match winless following a 2-0 loss to Miami.
"It'll be tough," Wolff said. "Speed and athleticism up top, transition is something we need to be mindful of and of course, we will have an idea of who the opponent is. But it's more about us creating more clear-cut chances."
"[We need to] be more efficient in the final third," Wolff said. "I think that was one of the things that was lacking, setting up attacks, being efficient, recognizing a lot of things we were doing were working. We just need to find a little better quality."
Austin (0-0-1) hosts CF Montréal (0-0-1) on Saturday, March 4, at 7:30 p.m. in Q2 Stadium.
