Last week, Austin FC was preparing for its home matchup against Los Angeles FC when the game was cancelled due to inclement weather in the area, the same weather that resulted in the Central Texas flood disasters.
On Saturday, the team came back to Q2 Stadium to take on the New England Revolution for the first time at home without Brandon Vázquez, one of the squad’s selected all-star players. The forward suffered an ACL injury in a quarter-final win against the San Jose Earthquakes in the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday.
Emotions ran high among players and fans as a moment of silence was held for the victims of the flood, and an Austin FC team picture was taken as they held a Vázquez jersey to show their support for their fallen teammate.
“If we could inspire people by fighting, by playing and by giving them a good moment of joy, we should use that as a moment to honor those people,” head coach Nico Estévez said. “In the case of Brandon, the same. … He’s already working hard to get back, and when you lose the possibility to keep playing because of your injury, I told them how fortunate they are right now and value the things they have around in the team and the teammates.”
However, once the referee blew the opening whistle, Austin’s other player selected for the all-star game later this month, goalkeeper Brad Stuver, stole the show in a 0-0 draw for the team in green and black.
In a tight contest, where neither team gained control of the ball to hold long spells of possession, the Austin defense always looked vulnerable to the counterattack. With the Revolution in a formation with three to seven players consistently defending, their goal was to counterattack on an Austin team that was aiming to pass the ball around to carve out a perfect chance.
Once the Revolution regained possession of the ball, Austin FC fullbacks Žan Kolmanič and Mikkel Desler would often be out of position as they aided the attack with overlapping runs, leading to high-percentage opportunities for the away team.
Eventually, Stuver ended the game with eight saves, including a save that stopped Argentine forward Luca Langoni’s shot in the dying minutes of the first half.
“For me, it’s been five years here at the club,” Stuver said. “I have a good relationship with the coaching staff. I have a good relationship with the guys. The continuity in the back line has given me a little bit of confidence to close down angles in a way that I know that they’re going to be able to take away part of the goal, and for me, it’s just doing what I can to help the guys.”
On the other side of the field, Austin FC struggled without Vázquez. Of the 19 shots taken by Austin, only four landed on target.
One of the four chances was from Albanian forward Myrto Uzuni, who could not capitalize on a tap-in yards away from goal that had a 59% expected goal percentage. By the end of the game, Austin had 1.9 expected goals compared to New England’s 1.3 expected goals.
“It’s a game that if you play 10 times, nine you win,” Estévez said.
Austin FC will now travel to California to take on the Los Angeles Galaxy on July 16, with kick-off set for 9:30 p.m.
