At the Whistle: Austin FC 3, San Jose Earthquakes 1
Going into Saturday night, Verde were coming off of a disappointing three-game run and the Quakes were on a solid heater against Texas opponents, besting both the Dynamo and Frisco. If Austin’s all-time regular season history against San Jose was any indication (1 win, 2 losses, and 7 draws), locals were in for what many expected to be the more-often-than-not draw against their in-conference AppleTown Derby rivals.
Instead, history was made and it seemed like the tides have turned in Verde's favor.
We saw a different Austin all night, starting with their early first goal resulting from the chain reaction of a Dubersarsky dispossession linking to a clean Owen Wolff assist to Osman Bukari. That sequence was characteristic of Verde's entire night, managing possession more dynamically and confidently than they have all month. They won the game in the first half, having fixed whatever it was that Nico Estevez noted has been broken in recent games.
The night was ruled not just by bad San Jose luck. Chicho Arango skying an early San Jose free kick from a dangerous position likewise characterized the Espinoza-less Quakes, who spent the night wasting or otherwise burning off set pieces rather than capitalizing on them, and going a moment too late or a moment too soon on their 19 shots compared to Austin's 9.
Going into tonight, San Jose had 50% more goals conceded (48 to Austin's 32) and half as many clean sheets (4 to Austin's 8). Myrto Uzuni's second goal at 33' off of clean service in from Bukari would have nicely knit together with those season-long trends had Bruno Wilson not Amro-Tareked Austin to a third goal at 77'.
Has Austin found their second half of the season form?
Best Verde moment (that wasn’t a goal)
One could say either Owen Wolff's assist to Bukari leading to the 12' goal, or Stuver's save at 59' that prevented the score going level. It's got to be Nico Dubersarsky's dispossession that led to Wolff's assist and Austin's first goal. That defined the momentum and character of the first half, which is when this game was won.
Worst Verde moment (that wasn't a goal allowed)
The clenching moment at the end of first half stoppage time, where a luckier San Jose would have buried a very good chance they had to pull one back.
One thing you might have missed
Jon Gallagher was ostensibly playing left wing, but he spent plenty of time dropping to left back as well, freeing up Biro to roam freely as a moving target agent of chaos.
Oh, and Mateja Đorđević not only made the team sheet in his first eligible week. His official roster number is 35.
One nerdy tidbit
Austin has now beaten San Jose by more than 1 goal for the first time in club history.
Where this fits into the season's narrative
Austin has beaten San Jose twice in 2025, once in the Open Cup Quarterfinal, and now at home. Decision Day away in San Jose is now an opportunity to define the Nico Estevez era of the club against a long-frustrating rival.
A question we have heading into the press conference
Is this sustainable with all of those international call-ups?
Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. You can comment here if you’re a subscriber, or reach out via Bluesky.
If you think Austin FC has trouble finishing out seasons, we have math to prove you right. Perhaps this season will reverse a trend ... but it's not happening thus far.
Going into Saturday night, Verde were coming off of a disappointing three-game run and the Quakes were on a solid heater against Texas opponents, besting both the Dynamo and Frisco. If Austin’s all-time regular season history against San Jose was any indication (1 win, 2 losses, and 7 draws), locals were in for what many expected to be the more-often-than-not draw against their in-conference AppleTown Derby rivals.
Instead, history was made and it seemed like the tides have turned in Verde's favor.
We saw a different Austin all night, starting with their early first goal resulting from the chain reaction of a Dubersarsky dispossession linking to a clean Owen Wolff assist to Osman Bukari. That sequence was characteristic of Verde's entire night, managing possession more dynamically and confidently than they have all month. They won the game in the first half, having fixed whatever it was that Nico Estevez noted has been broken in recent games.
The night was ruled not just by bad San Jose luck. Chicho Arango skying an early San Jose free kick from a dangerous position likewise characterized the Espinoza-less Quakes, who spent the night wasting or otherwise burning off set pieces rather than capitalizing on them, and going a moment too late or a moment too soon on their 19 shots compared to Austin's 9.
Going into tonight, San Jose had 50% more goals conceded (48 to Austin's 32) and half as many clean sheets (4 to Austin's 8). Myrto Uzuni's second goal at 33' off of clean service in from Bukari would have nicely knit together with those season-long trends had Bruno Wilson not Amro-Tareked Austin to a third goal at 77'.
Has Austin found their second half of the season form?
Best Verde moment (that wasn’t a goal)
One could say either Owen Wolff's assist to Bukari leading to the 12' goal, or Stuver's save at 59' that prevented the score going level. It's got to be Nico Dubersarsky's dispossession that led to Wolff's assist and Austin's first goal. That defined the momentum and character of the first half, which is when this game was won.
Worst Verde moment (that wasn't a goal allowed)
The clenching moment at the end of first half stoppage time, where a luckier San Jose would have buried a very good chance they had to pull one back.
One thing you might have missed
Jon Gallagher was ostensibly playing left wing, but he spent plenty of time dropping to left back as well, freeing up Biro to roam freely as a moving target agent of chaos.
Oh, and Mateja Đorđević not only made the team sheet in his first eligible week. His official roster number is 35.
One nerdy tidbit
Austin has now beaten San Jose by more than 1 goal for the first time in club history.
Where this fits into the season's narrative
Austin has beaten San Jose twice in 2025, once in the Open Cup Quarterfinal, and now at home. Decision Day away in San Jose is now an opportunity to define the Nico Estevez era of the club against a long-frustrating rival.
A question we have heading into the press conference
Is this sustainable with all of those international call-ups?
Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. You can comment here if you’re a subscriber, or reach out via Bluesky.
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