Rest for the weary: Austin FC hopes break results in some needed MLS momentum

In a season when it will play more than 40 games, Austin FC has enjoyed a rare break the past two weeks.

As El Tree heads on the road to play Los Angeles FC on Saturday night, it exits the longest layoff in the schedule until August — and that’s only if it’s eliminated from the Leagues Cup in the group stage or first knockout round.

Yes, being fresh won’t be an issue in this game, and Austin FC (2-2-1, seven points) should have a significant fitness advantage with LAFC (3-0-2, 11 points) playing its third game in eight days, having just routed Vancouver 3-0 Wednesday in CONCACAF Champions League play.

“I think it was good to get a bye week, in essence, and it allowed us to address some things that we’ve needed to over the first six weeks of the season,” Austin FC coach Josh Wolff said during his weekly meeting with the media. “We were able to touch on more situational things, which was good. There was more enjoyment in the training sessions, and they were a little lighter last week. And as we got back this week it became more specific, deliberate and more focused on LAFC.”

We meet again: LAFC has become MLS' glamour club

If there’s an opponent against whom El Tree’s health and legs advantage might be somewhat muted, it’s LAFC.

The defending MLS champion is widely considered the top team in the league and has become the MLS’ poster — and glamour — club with what it has accomplished in recent years.

LAFC has become known for its star-studded roster, with this season being no different, featuring players such as forwards Dénis Bouanga and Carlos Vela and midfielders Ilie Sanchez and Kellyn Acosta, just to name a few.

“For me, they’re the best for what they’ve been able to accomplish and sustain,” Wolff said. “They compete for championships, Supporters’ Shields, and build out great rosters. They’re never short on quality. They’re extremely dangerous, but we are as well. What I remind our guys of is that we have ways to hurt people and we have to take advantage when they come, especially against an opponent like LAFC.”

After two weeks off, El Tree is rested, ready

With the return of center back Leo Väisänen and midfielder Owen Wolff from international duty — both missed the last game against Colorado — Austin FC will field its strongest lineup since March 18 in Houston.

Both starters, Väisänen has arguably been the club’s best player this season and seems to have been a shrewd offseason pickup, while Owen Wolff forms a key pairing with Dani Pereira in the center midfield.

More: In their last match, Austin FC played to a draw with Colorado Rapids

The duo help Austin FC be more dangerous overall, and Josh Wolff said it’s a team effort that will allow designated player Sebastián Driussi, who has only one goal in league play, more touches on the ball in dangerous situations.

“People are quite aware of him, and it became challenging even late last year to get him the ball (in a scoring position) as he is a player opponents want to take away,” Josh Wolff said. “In order to get him the ball more often, the group has to operate at a high level. Gyasi (Zardes), Maxi (Urruti), Diego (Fagúndez) and Emiliano (Rigoni) have to score goals.

"We have to have contributions from everyone, as we did last year. That will help alleviate and free up Sebastián, but I still don’t think he’s gotten to his best form yet this year. Sometimes he is man-marked, and that’s the price of being the best player in the league. But he also has to find ways to be impactful.”

Väisänen, Wolff successful while away

Väisänen played the full game in both of Finland’s Euro Cup qualifiers vs. Denmark and Northern Ireland.

His efforts helped the team to a crucial 1-0 road win over Northern Ireland in Belfast, which could loom big as Finland battles to finish second in a rather pedestrian group outside of Denmark that also features Kazakhstan, San Marino and Slovenia.

“It’s always fun to play for your country,” Väisänen said. “Three points out of two matches was good. We knew Denmark away would be tough. We’re in good standing in the group and fighting to qualify.”

Väisänen also said he was able to get back to his home city of Helsinki for a few days after the two matches to see his family and girlfriend.

Center back help on the way

Josh Wolff noted that center back Julio Cascante is back to being on the field training with a ball.

Cascante suffered a groin injury in the first 10 minutes of the season opener Feb. 25 against St. Louis, and while he’s still not allowed to participate in regular practice or drills with other players, it’s a noteworthy point in his recovery, and he’s on track to possibly be available by mid-May.

Wolff also said that newly signed center back Aleksandar Radovanović should arrive in Austin sometime this weekend. It will take Radovanović time to get up to speed with the club, but he should be a playing option by the end of the month.

El Tree makes a trade

Austin FC announced it has traded one of its international roster spots this season to LAFC for $150,000 in general allocation money.

Saturday's match

Austin FC (2-2-1, seven points) at Los Angeles FC (3-0-2, 11 points), 6:30 p.m., Fox, 97.5

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin FC resumes play at MLS defending champion LAFC