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This was personal for Nico Estévez.
While Austin FC’s new coach has presented himself as being a players’ coach during his brief time leading the club, the Verde & Black roster may have seen a different side of him prior to Saturday’s match versus Vancouver.
Six weeks ago, Austin FC was embarrassed by the Whitecaps in a 5-1 blowout loss, which was something that obviously didn’t sit well with Estévez.
“I was very hurt when we lost 5-1, so maybe I had a different tone leading up to this match,” said Estévez, who for the second straight postgame press conference was more blunt than he usually has been this year. “I told the players that we didn’t win our individual matchups last time, and that they better win their matchups this time.”
Though the result at Q2 Stadium was only a 0-0 draw, Estévez’s messaging worked. Austin FC arguably played its best match of the season in the run of play and looked like a completely different team than the one that was completely run off the field in the first meeting.
Here are some key takeaways from the match as Austin FC (5-6-3, 18 points) ends its three-game homestand Wednesday with a U.S. Open Cup match against rival Houston:
Austin FC passed the eye test
Despite playing 72 hours earlier in similar hot and humid conditions, Austin FC had more energy than Vancouver and created many more scoring opportunities.
And while the Verde & Black obviously would have preferred a win and still have issues finishing — they now have just nine goals in 14 games — they produced a point against the MLS’ best team through the first three months of the season and one that in two weeks will play in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final.
There are no moral victories in professional sports, but this performance had a different feel from Austin FC. It played with confidence and togetherness while outperforming a Whitecaps team on a full week of rest.
“This is a result we can be proud of,” said goalie Brad Stuver, who was never challenged in the contest. “We talked about being more compact from front to back (compared to the first matchup).”
Though he didn’t specify any major differences about Estévez’s pregame message to the team, Stuver did note there was an emphasis on winning individual battles.
“Nico is still building relationships and trying to find what motivates guys,” he said.
Man of the match: Osman Bukari
Playing the full 90 minutes for only the fourth time this season, Bukari constantly hurt Vancouver up the right side and was consistently a threat in the box. He barely missed connecting on two goals and had one of his best showings since joining the club last July.
“I know when the ball is coming as I’m used to playing on the right side,” said Bukari, who noted the performance won’t have an impact on his confidence. “I’m a professional — I have to have confidence (no matter what). And I know what I can do.”
Bottom line
Austin FC is in ninth place in the Western Conference, and of its next four league matches, it will only be favored in one — a home match against Real Salt Lake on May 28.
If the Verde & Black can get through that stretch without too much damage in the standings, the schedule the rest of the season lightens up significantly.
But if the club can consistently produce a performance like Saturday’s — but with goals — upcoming road matches at Minnesota, San Diego and Colorado could be anyone’s game.
“The MLS is a crazy league,” Stuver said. “Anyone can beat anyone on any day.”
Austin FC player ratings
(Players rated 1-10 with 10 being the highest.)
Forward: Brandon Vazquez 6.5, Myrto Uzuni 5, Osman Bukari 7.5
Midfield: Owen Wolff 7, Besard Sabovic 6.5, Ilie Sánchez 6.5
Defense: Guilherme Biro 7, Brendan Hines-Ike 7, Oleksandr Svatok 7, Jon Gallagher 7.5
Subs: Jáder Obrian 5, Nicolás Dubersarsky 5, CJ Fodrey NA
#takeaways #Austin #draws #Vancouver
