Austin FC host San Diego FC at Q2 Stadium on Saturday, September 26 (8:30 PM ET / 7:30 PM CT / 5:30 PM PT).
No fresh injury concerns are reported for either side ahead of this one. Austin FC will lean on striker Christian Ramirez, who has scored 7 goals from 23 shots this season, and Myrto Uzuni, who has fired 47 shots and scored 6 goals, with both expected to lead the line and attacking midfielder Facundo Torres supplying the service — his 58 chances created lead the squad by some distance. San Diego FC report the same clean bill of health, with strikers Anders Dreyer and Marcus Ingvartsen, level on 11 goals each this season, spearheading the attack, while midfielder Onni Valakari’s 23 chances created keep the service flowing.
Both defenses have been porous this season. Austin’s goal difference sits at -12, the shakier of the pair, while San Diego shipped 5 goals in their last match, an 0-5 loss to Philadelphia Union at home on September 14, though their season-long goal difference of 0 is still healthier than Austin’s. Expect goals at both ends: Ramirez and Torres carry enough craft to trouble San Diego’s back line, while Dreyer and Ingvartsen, level on 11 goals each, offer the visitors a route back into it. Home advantage should tip a tight, open game Austin’s way.
US viewers can watch Austin FC vs San Diego FC on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass.
Austin FC vs San Diego FC: Best Bets & Predictions
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Season Form & Standings
One point and one place separate the two sides in the Western Conference table: Austin FC sit 11th with 30 points from 26 games, San Diego FC just above in 10th on 31 points from the same number of matches, with the regular season entering its final stretch and both still alive in the playoff picture.
Western Conference
| Team | Pos | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego FC | 10 | 26 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 44 | 44 | 0 | 31 |
| Austin FC | 11 | 26 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 32 | 44 | -12 | 30 |
Austin FC vs San Diego FC Predicted Lineups
Predicted XI — updated for the latest team news.
Austin FC
3-4-2-1San Diego FC
3-4-3Potential Match-Winners
- Christian Ramirez (Austin FC): The striker has scored 7 goals from 23 shots this season, with 11 on target — the focal point of Austin’s attack in front of goal.
- Facundo Torres (Austin FC): The attacking midfielder has created 58 chances this season, comfortably the most on the roster, and adds 4 goals of his own from 37 shots.
- Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC): The striker leads San Diego’s attack with 11 goals from 79 shots, including 36 on target, and has created 61 chances to go with it.
Recent Form
Austin FC: W D D W D
- 2026-09-20: FC Dallas 0-0 Austin FC (D, away)
- 2026-09-13: Vancouver Whitecaps 1-2 Austin FC (W, away)
- 2026-09-10: Austin FC 1-1 Colorado Rapids (D, home)
- 2026-09-06: Austin FC 1-1 San Jose Earthquakes (D, home)
- 2026-08-30: Portland Timbers 1-2 Austin FC (W, away)
Austin FC’s recent form reads W D D W D, built on away wins at Portland Timbers (1-2) and Vancouver Whitecaps (1-2), home draws with San Jose Earthquakes and Colorado Rapids (both 1-1), and a scoreless draw at FC Dallas in their last outing on September 20.
San Diego FC: W W L L L
- 2026-09-14: San Diego FC 0-5 Philadelphia Union (L, home)
- 2026-09-10: San Diego FC 2-3 San Jose Earthquakes (L, home)
- 2026-09-06: Orlando City 1-0 San Diego FC (L, away)
- 2026-08-30: San Diego FC 3-1 LA Galaxy (W, home)
- 2026-08-23: San Diego FC 3-0 Colorado Rapids (W, home)
San Diego FC’s form reads W W L L L, with home wins over Colorado Rapids (3-0) and LA Galaxy (3-1) giving way to defeats at Orlando City (1-0), at home to San Jose Earthquakes (2-3), and at home to Philadelphia Union (0-5) in their last outing on September 14.
Austin FC vs San Diego FC Prediction
Signal’s model has this finishing 2-1 to Austin FC. Both sides sit inside a point of each other in the Western Conference playoff picture — Austin 11th on 30, San Diego 10th on 31 — and neither defense inspires much confidence, so goals at both ends feel likely. Ramirez and Torres should give the hosts enough in front of their own fans to see off a San Diego side whose own attack, led by Dreyer and Ingvartsen, gets on the scoresheet but not enough to leave with anything.
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