If you believe Sebastián Driussi is a talented and versatile player, as Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff does, you believe that he can function well in a center forward role, where he’s been deployed in recent matches.
If you saw Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Q2 Stadium, and saw Verde’s offense struggle to produce — with just five shots total and no shots on goal — you had the question I had about the wisdom of that strategy and what Wolff might do going forward.
“Obviously it didn't sit well, or it didn't seem to provide the benefits that it has in the last couple games,” Wolff assessed. “But I think it's been a good change of pace for our group,” citing its success against LAFC (albeit, a 2-0 Leagues Cup loss) and Nashville (a 2-0 win against the East’s current bottom-dwellers).
On Saturday night, Driussi played the full 90 and got off just a single shot worth 0.12 of xG in the 37th minute. But Wolff felt the lack of production from Driussi was far from the only issue.
“I think we had a lot of poor performances tonight,” Wolff continued, adding to a season-long theme following losses. “I think our players know that. I mean, when you have that many poor performances, it's going to be challenging to compete with Vancouver there. They make it difficult the way that they defend, their good transition.”
“And I'm not talking one or two,” he added. “We had six or seven guys that just performed well below what we have utilized, how we've been performing lately in these games, both in league and Leagues Cup. So that becomes challenging. If you have one or two, maybe you can tolerate it or manage it. But too many poor with the ball, sloppy at times, just simple, easy, little giveaways, and it certainly affects the confidence of the group.”
