It took a while for Austin FC to score — but then the hosts did so, twice, leading to a second straight win. Three long-absent players also saw minutes for Verde in the effort.
In an odd Sunday afternoon 4:30 pm CT start time, Austin FC took a while to score against visiting St. Louis City SC, but then did so emphatically, with Christian Ramírez and Myrto Uzuni scoring within 13 minutes of each other. That led Verde to a 2-0 win at Q2 Stadium for their first two-match win streak of the season, vaulting them significantly closer to the playoff line.
The starting lineup had a surprising late scratch, with announced starter Jayden Nelson giving way to Jon Gallagher, but the matchday 20 (well, 19) had Brandon Vázquez and Owen Wolff as sub options for the first time all season.
Verde put pressure on during the initial 10 minutes, engineering two in-the-box chances for Uzuni, one for Ramírez, and one for an overzealous Gallagher who hit a point-blank ball that dropped to him into the stands.
Eduard Löwen did get a distressingly open look in front of goal in the 12th minute, but hit the short-range shot well after the crossbar.
Uzuni nearly got the opener in the 22nd on a free kick opportunity that made its way to the goalmouth; his header was met by a flailing Roman Bürki, who managed an artless chest nudge and flailing arms move that propelled the ball away from goal.
Brad Stuver had his own set piece to save a few minutes later, getting down to repel a sizzling Löwen corner kick that Simon Becher sought to redirect.
Verde had another great goal opportunity in the 35th minute, but rather than adhere to the rules of soccer, Guilherme Biro decided to tip the ball in from Myrto Uzuni past Bürki, volleyball style, with his hand, getting a yellow card for his effort.
Facundo Torres had a more conventional chance in the 40th minute, but Bürki dealt with that as well. Then, in stoppage time, an Austin counter led to an Ilie shot deflected out for a corner that was also fruitless, leaving the teams to go into halftime the same as they did 45 minutes prior.
In the 56th minute, terror came in the form of a Marcel Hartel breakaway, but fortunately for Verde, he selflessly but badly sent a wide pass out to Simon Becher, who could only hit side netting from the more-difficult-than-it-had-to-be-really angle.
Sergio Córdova and Mbacke Fall found their way into the match at the hour mark, replacing Löwen and Lukas MacNaughton.
Austin FC head coach Nico Estévez was readying his own sub — the long-absent Dani Pereira, getting in for Ilie at the 65th. The sub was held up by a corner and a free kick Verde was able to win, heaping on more pressure without actually scoring.
Finally, on a 69th-minute corner kick (nice), Pereira and Uzuni combined to get the ball up toward the far post, where Ramirez was waiting to put platinum blond hair onto the ball for the opening goal.
Verde doubled the lead in the 81st, on a lovely play involving Stuver throwing the ball out to Joseph Rosales, who got it upline to Torres, who sent Gallagher to the end line with a leading pass, who then cut the ball back to the top of the 18, where an onrushing Ramírez met the ball and laid it off to Uzuni for a collected finish.
Wolff arrived in the 83rd minute (along with Jon Bell) to further cement the good vibes. And then, per Instagram earlier in the week, Vázquez made his season debut in the 89th — 299 days after going down in Open Cup play last summer against San Jose.
Best Verde moment (that wasn’t a goal)
The ball in from Uzuni for the potential first goal at minute 35 was ripe for Biro to get a head to. Or any other legal body part.
Worst Verde moment (that wasn't a goal allowed)
Hey, Biro, can't use your hands in soccer unless you're a goalkeeper. You are not a goalkeeper.
One thing you might have missed
For the first time this season, Speed Bump made a stadium appearance! (Coinciding with Kids' Day at Q2?)
One nerdy tidbit
Prior to Austin's goal to break the deadlock (per FotMob), the teams combined for 4.22 xG (2.88 of that for St. Louis), five big chances (three for the visitors), and 24 shots (12 for each).
Where this fits into the season's narrative
It's taken 11 matches into the season to put together two wins in a row, but the team's now also 2W 2L 3D in its last seven matches, which is a 1.29 points per game clip. That's not quite enough to a get a team to 45 points over the season, but it does get them to 44 at that pace — making it appear that the Good Ship Verde is making its slow turn back into Postseason Bay.
A question we have heading into the press conference
Nelson was a very late scratch, so naturally, wondering about his prognosis.
Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. For more coverage, check out Emergency Podcast! (an Austin FC Podcast) wherever you get your podcasts.
The first goal took a while to arrive ... and it was very nearly a St. Louis goal in transition. But the shutout win is giving Austin FC more confidence heading into two straight away matches.
St. Louis City SC is one of just two teams below Austin FC in the West standings. But, like Austin, they might be better than their record indicates, especially with one key player returning.
Depending on how Wednesday's doctor appointment goes, long-sidelined striker Brandon Vázquez could see action on Sunday. Also, Owen Wolff may make his season debut.
After 10 matches, Austin FC has 10 points and is outside of the playoff places. But, despite some grim key metrics, the next five matches could prove transformative.
In an odd Sunday afternoon 4:30 pm CT start time, Austin FC took a while to score against visiting St. Louis City SC, but then did so emphatically, with Christian Ramírez and Myrto Uzuni scoring within 13 minutes of each other. That led Verde to a 2-0 win at Q2 Stadium for their first two-match win streak of the season, vaulting them significantly closer to the playoff line.
The starting lineup had a surprising late scratch, with announced starter Jayden Nelson giving way to Jon Gallagher, but the matchday 20 (well, 19) had Brandon Vázquez and Owen Wolff as sub options for the first time all season.
Verde put pressure on during the initial 10 minutes, engineering two in-the-box chances for Uzuni, one for Ramírez, and one for an overzealous Gallagher who hit a point-blank ball that dropped to him into the stands.
Eduard Löwen did get a distressingly open look in front of goal in the 12th minute, but hit the short-range shot well after the crossbar.
Uzuni nearly got the opener in the 22nd on a free kick opportunity that made its way to the goalmouth; his header was met by a flailing Roman Bürki, who managed an artless chest nudge and flailing arms move that propelled the ball away from goal.
Brad Stuver had his own set piece to save a few minutes later, getting down to repel a sizzling Löwen corner kick that Simon Becher sought to redirect.
Verde had another great goal opportunity in the 35th minute, but rather than adhere to the rules of soccer, Guilherme Biro decided to tip the ball in from Myrto Uzuni past Bürki, volleyball style, with his hand, getting a yellow card for his effort.
Facundo Torres had a more conventional chance in the 40th minute, but Bürki dealt with that as well. Then, in stoppage time, an Austin counter led to an Ilie shot deflected out for a corner that was also fruitless, leaving the teams to go into halftime the same as they did 45 minutes prior.
In the 56th minute, terror came in the form of a Marcel Hartel breakaway, but fortunately for Verde, he selflessly but badly sent a wide pass out to Simon Becher, who could only hit side netting from the more-difficult-than-it-had-to-be-really angle.
Sergio Córdova and Mbacke Fall found their way into the match at the hour mark, replacing Löwen and Lukas MacNaughton.
Austin FC head coach Nico Estévez was readying his own sub — the long-absent Dani Pereira, getting in for Ilie at the 65th. The sub was held up by a corner and a free kick Verde was able to win, heaping on more pressure without actually scoring.
Finally, on a 69th-minute corner kick (nice), Pereira and Uzuni combined to get the ball up toward the far post, where Ramirez was waiting to put platinum blond hair onto the ball for the opening goal.
Verde doubled the lead in the 81st, on a lovely play involving Stuver throwing the ball out to Joseph Rosales, who got it upline to Torres, who sent Gallagher to the end line with a leading pass, who then cut the ball back to the top of the 18, where an onrushing Ramírez met the ball and laid it off to Uzuni for a collected finish.
Wolff arrived in the 83rd minute (along with Jon Bell) to further cement the good vibes. And then, per Instagram earlier in the week, Vázquez made his season debut in the 89th — 299 days after going down in Open Cup play last summer against San Jose.
Best Verde moment (that wasn’t a goal)
The ball in from Uzuni for the potential first goal at minute 35 was ripe for Biro to get a head to. Or any other legal body part.
Worst Verde moment (that wasn't a goal allowed)
Hey, Biro, can't use your hands in soccer unless you're a goalkeeper. You are not a goalkeeper.
One thing you might have missed
For the first time this season, Speed Bump made a stadium appearance! (Coinciding with Kids' Day at Q2?)
One nerdy tidbit
Prior to Austin's goal to break the deadlock (per FotMob), the teams combined for 4.22 xG (2.88 of that for St. Louis), five big chances (three for the visitors), and 24 shots (12 for each).
Where this fits into the season's narrative
It's taken 11 matches into the season to put together two wins in a row, but the team's now also 2W 2L 3D in its last seven matches, which is a 1.29 points per game clip. That's not quite enough to a get a team to 45 points over the season, but it does get them to 44 at that pace — making it appear that the Good Ship Verde is making its slow turn back into Postseason Bay.
A question we have heading into the press conference
Nelson was a very late scratch, so naturally, wondering about his prognosis.
Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. For more coverage, check out Emergency Podcast! (an Austin FC Podcast) wherever you get your podcasts.
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