​Austin FC v Real Salt Lake: Estevez has 'no concerns' over big-money Uzuni

Nico Estevez is not concerned about the form of attacker Myrto Uzuni, as Austin FC prepare to face another out-of-form side in the shape of Real Salt Lake on Wednesday.

Austin are winless in six straight regular-season matches (D3 L3), though their last three have all ended in draws.

Their only win in their last nine league matches since the beginning of April was a 1-0 home victory over the league-worst LA Galaxy.

They sit ninth in the West with 19 points from 15 games this year, despite their 10 goals being the fewest by any team in the conference.

Austin spent $12million to sign Uzuni from LaLiga side Granada ahead of the 2025 campaign but he has only netted twice in all competitions since arriving. 

His head coach believes he will come good, though, telling reporters: "We have zero concerns. He's probably the most disappointed.

"But the goals will come for him. It would be an issue if he didn't care or work, but he runs arguably the most on the team."

Answering the call! 

Myrto Uzuni has been called up to the Albanian National Team for upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches! pic.twitter.com/NOzAiOCJ8Z

— Austin FC (@AustinFC) May 26, 2025

Austin drew 1-1 with high-flying Minnesota United on Saturday, with Estevez praising their attitude in the aftermath of that game.

"We knew it was going to be an ugly game," Estevez said. "But the positive is we responded. We were very dangerous in transition and we scored a high-quality goal, but it wasn't enough."

Opponents Real Salt Lake are three places and five points behind Austin, having lost 3-2 to the Vancouver Whitecaps last time out – their second straight defeat.

Pablo Mastroeni's side are winless in five games overall, since beating San Diego FC 3-1 on their travels in late April.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Austin FC – Owen Wolff

Wolff's three assists this year are more than any other Austin player has managed, though he has gone five MLS games without a goal involvement.

If the hosts are to end their poor run of form, they may need him to come good.

Real Salt Lake – Diego Luna

Only Tai Baribo (13 goals), Brian White (10) and Cristian Arango (nine) have bettered Luna's eight goals in MLS this season.

Five of those strikes have come in RSL's last six games, despite them only winning one of those matches. 

MATCH PREDICTION – AUSTIN FC WIN

Real Salt Lake are unbeaten in three straight meetings with Austin (W2 D1), netting nine goals over those three games. 

ready to go up against the verde & black #ATXvRSL | @EnglandLogistic

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) May 27, 2025

There have been 30 total goals scored across the nine all-time meetings between these clubs, with each team keeping just one clean sheet each.

RSL have won just four of their last 23 away matches in all competitions (D9 L10) dating back to May 2024. Five of those 10 losses have come in their last eight on the road (W2 D1).

Austin's scoreless draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps in their last regular-season home match on May 17, meanwhile, was the eighth time in their last 17 home league matches that they had failed to score. 

Austin had scored in 34 of their previous 36 regular-season home matches, including 19 straight, prior to this run. They could be facing RSL at a good time.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Austin FC – 43.2%

Real Salt Lake – 30.1%

Draw – 26.7%