Deadspin | Austin FC, Rapids retaining early eye on playoff positioning

The first weekend in June isn’t too early to take into accounts making the playoffs.

That would be the angle for Austin FC and the Colorado Rapids once they meet Saturday night time in Commerce City, Colo.

The Rapids (6-6-4, 22 issues) have received two in their previous 3 suits and stand in 8th position within the Western Conference — above the playoff line — and so they see their three-match homestand starting Saturday as a very powerful.

“We have to take advantage of the next three games, particularly playing here to move up the standings,” Rapids ahead Rafael Navarro mentioned.

Austin (5-7-5, 20 issues) isn’t a long way at the back of in 10th position however is 0-4-4 during the last 8 MLS suits. Coach Nico Estevez mentioned he’s constructive his group will qualify for the postseason.

“You have to build the team throughout the end of the season, because there are teams that start really, really strong, and then they fade during the year,” he mentioned. “And then there are teams that start slow … and they arrive to the playoffs, and they arrive to the final, and they win the championship.

“If we now have the mindset that we’re construction one thing proper in opposition to the tip of the season, we will be able to achieve success.”

It won’t be easy unless things change. Austin has only 11 goals this season, and its minus-9 goal differential is tied for fourth-worst in MLS.

While Brandon Vazquez has four goals, he has not received much support, and Austin will be without forward Myrto Uzuni, who is away with the Albanian national team.

Colorado’s combo of Djordje Mihailovic (seven goals) and Navarro (five) have combined to outscore Austin FC, and Navarro has scored in three of the past four matches against them.

Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen was with U.S. national team when he injured his knee in training on Wednesday and reportedly will be out four to six weeks.

Nonetheless, coach Chris Armas said the Rapids must persevere.

“We did the straightforward math and spot what 3 issues can imply,” he said. “We need to stay construction on what we have been doing nowadays.”

–Field Level Media