At the Whistle: Austin FC 0, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 0

Austin FC looked the better side for most of 90 minutes on Saturday night at Q2 Stadium, but despite dominating in shots and shots on goal, could only muster a 0-0 draw against the conference-leading Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

Though the first half was scoreless, it wasn't for lack of Verde trying. The hosts looked more purposeful than they did just three nights prior against Atlanta. Osman Bukari, in particular, looked lively from the jump, making a nifty turn on Ranko Veselinović in the third minute en route toward goal, and appearing to score in the first minute of stoppage time, neatly rounding goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka, on a play called back for offside.

In between those bookend Bukari moments, Verde dominated in scoring chances, getting nine shots to the Whitecaps' two, and all three shots on goal in the half. Despite all the encouraging moments from Bukari and Brandon Vázquez – and there were quite a few, as the players exhibited a cohesion they've rarely exhibited this season – they weren't able to get the crucial first goal. As our friends at The Third Sub skeeted on Bluesky, "Austin really has done everything but score in this first half."

Verde picked up where they left off after the break, starting with a Besard Šabović sizzler in the 48th minute after Bukari served him up a pass; it was right at Takaoka but with considerable power.

Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sørensen made four subs, including getting on the speedy, dangerous Jayden Nelson — and the refereeing appeared to tip very much in Vancouver's favor, raising Verde head coach Nico Estévez's ire — before the manager finally went to his bench in the 81st, putting on Nicolás Dubersarsky for Owen Wolff and Jáder Obrian for Vázquez.

Bukari again had one more chance to get Verde ahead in the 83rd minute, but Takaoka came through again. By the match's end, Verde won the shots battle 16-5 and shots on goal 5-2. But they're still parked on nine goals after 14 matches – on pace to barely break 20 for the season.

Best Verde moment (that wasn’t a goal)

Of the plays that weren't wiped from the record, Bukari getting elevation to put in the 28th-minute header forcing Takaoka into a save was arguably the best shot in the first half.

Worst Verde moment (that wasn't a goal allowed)

Owen Wolff allowing himself to get a yellow for dissent toward an assistant ref, after enduring a particularly egregious football tackle, wasn't great, and might have led to his subbing out. We imagine some things might be said about the calls on the field.

Something you might have missed

In the 34th minute, among the various headers and other attempts, Brendan Hines-Ike had a half-decent chance at a butt goal.

Also, about the hour mark, press box conversation turned to Ilie tucking in his jersey — we think that's the first time he did so this season. It might be a thing to ask him about.

One nerdy tidbit

Even though your eyes might have told you Verde was dominating, the Whitecaps had a possession edge of less than a percentage point at halftime, and it got even narrower by the hour mark (but still tipping the visitors' way).

A question we have heading into the press conference

Verde appeared so much better and more purposeful in possession in this match than in Wednesday's ... what changed? Is it better performance or was there something strategic other than putting Buka on the right?

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