This Sunday, the reigning MLS Cup champions travel to expansion side Austin FC for a nationally televised match from Q2 Stadium in Austin.

Sunday’s match is the second of a two-game road stint, as the Black & Gold look to rebound from a 1-0 defeat at the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday, while Austin FC is coming off a 2-0 loss to Minnesota United on Wednesday.

Notably, the expansion side has failed to score in six of its first 10 MLS matches, the first expansion team in MLS history to fail to score in more than half of their first 10 matches, according to Opta. An expansion side has defeated a defending MLS Champion only four times since 2005, with LAFC being the last team to do it, defeating Toronto in 2018.

When asked about Sunday’s inaugural meeting, Caleb Porter noted that the team understands its significance for Crew supporters.

In Austin’s home opener last week, they played a scoreless draw against the Earthquakes in their first-ever match at Q2 Stadium. Per Opta, only two teams have gone scoreless in their first two home matches in MLS: The Red Bulls (then-MetroStars) in 1996 and the Miami Fusion in 1998.

Kickoff on Sunday is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Be sure to view the matchday page for a side-by-side look at each team’s statistical performance so far this regular season.

COURTESY MLS.soccer.com & COLUMBUS CREW Communications