Some Austin FC fans have noticed the elevation of Damian Las into the first-team lineup in recent weeks — and, with it, the exclusion of backup goalkeeper Matt Bersano. In fact, Las has been the backup keeper of record ever since the Sept. 17 match against the Timbers — and Bersano subsequently hasn’t made a first-team lineup since Sept. 2.
That’s by design, according to Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff, who revealed the Las-for-Bersano first-team swap in response to my question about it after Saturday night’s match with the Colorado Rapids — a 1-0 loss that happened less than 24 hours after Las played a full 90 in Austin FC II’s playoff win over Sporting Kansas City II.
“Las would be considered the number two,” Wolff said. “I think he's had an outstanding year at ATX II, he was named MLS Next Pro Goalkeeper of the Year and rightfully so. I think he's got certainly a lot of growth still to be made, but that's what the design of ATX II, of MLS Next Pro is, getting players opportunities.”
