Austin FC reached its first-ever semifinal after defeating the San Jose Earthquakes in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals in July, marking a historic milestone.
Even while it was a festive evening, a significant setback—the loss of All-Star striker Brandon V. Zquez for the rest of the season due to an ACL tear—overshadowed it.
His absence might jeopardize Austin FC’s chances of winning the team’s first U.S. Open Cup trophy as well as their playoff drive.
After Vquez’s injury, goalie Brad Stuver stated, “We have to try to get the best out of each guy we have.” We must examine that and make an effort to score goals in the second half of the season.
Austin FC head coach Nico Est vez has relied on Myrto Uzuni, who joined in January, to lead the front line going into the season’s last stretch after V zquez’s injury.
With two goals in three games, Uzuni has helped Austin FC move up to seventh place in the Western Conference—two spots above where they were when Vazquez left. His play may be crucial as Austin looks to qualify for the playoffs.
According to forward Osman Bukari, the more goals you score, the more confident you are in your attacking. Two goals and one assist are crucial for a striker, as demonstrated by Uzuni, who has contributed to two victories.
After three years with Granada CF in Spain’s second tier, Uzuni joined the team as a designated player during the winter transfer window. As the squad’s main striker, the Albanian international made 106 appearances for the Spanish team, scoring 49 goals and dishing out eight assists.
According to head coach Nico Est vez, Myrto reads extremely well when the centerback is out of place and makes exceptionally good movements behind the opposition’s backline. He is a very quick player with excellent timing who adds a little extra danger when he runs in from behind.With 14 goals in 18 games in the fall of 2024, Uzuni was Granada’s top scorer at the time of his move. Although V zquez’s arrival in January prompted a fierce competition for minutes in head coach Nico Est vez’s starting eleven, he was previously anticipated to be Austin FC’s focal point in attack.
Uzuni mostly played as V Zquez’s backup during the season, occasionally starting in the early stages of the U.S. Open Cup and making replacement appearances in league action.
However, Uzuni has taken advantage of V Zquez’s injury to flourish.
