Žan Kolmanič equalized — for his first MLS goal ever — 11 minutes after Michael Boxall got a fortunate early goal, and Austin FC drew with Minnesota United FC, 1-1, at Allianz Field on Saturday night.
Verde started the match out in a three-center-back formation, with Guilherme Biro joining Oleksandr Svatok and Brendan Hines-Ike in the back three, with Kolmanič and Jon Gallagher functioning as wingbacks.
Brandon Vázquez got a turnover gifted to him in the 4th minute and sent a shot beyond the 18 that tested Loons 'keeper Dayne St. Clair, but the Canadian international was able to deal with it.
But in the 16th minute, Boxall got free in front of goal on a corner kick, slipping past Jon Gallagher to head in a recycled pass past Verde goalkeeper Brad Stuver to grab the early lead, and then a minute later, Tani Oluwaseyi forced Stuver into a save on a header with the potential to double the lead.
But somewhat against the run of play, Gallagher triggered a counter attack in the 27th minute, getting a ball down the right flank to Osman Bukari, finding Myrto Uzuni with a central ball, which he then shuttled to his left to meet an onrushing Kolmanič for the goal.
Austin FC head coach Nico Estévez decided to reinforce via a sub just after an hour passed, bringing in the more experienced Ilie Sánchez.
Brendan Hines-Ike did well to save a 64th-minute effort from Joaquin Pereyra, who hit a shot on a play started by a long Boxall throw.
Then, Estévez made a couple of curious but probably warranted subs, bringing in Owen Wolff and Jáder Obrian for Vázquez and Bukari at the 70-minute mark.
While Austin had to weather a particular hairy moment in the 82nd minute on a Kelvin Yeboah shot that Stuver saved, they hung on — though Uzuni had several more late opportunities that he squandered.
That leaves Austin winless in its last six matches, though it's now three straight draws to improve its recent stretch of matches to 1-4-4.
Best Verde moment (that wasn’t a goal)
The Hines-Ike defensive play was perhaps reflexive but absolutely saved a goal.
Worst Verde moment (that wasn't a goal allowed)
About a half hour in, Uzuni was engineering a promising attack but then ran into Vázquez to thwart the forward momentum, and ended up taking a weak shot despite getting himself in good position. Uzuni also butchered a chance near halftime, bringing a pass down but transforming it into an off-balance shot.
Something you might have missed
Joseph Rosales subbed in at halftime. He was supposed to be serving a three-game suspension for alleged racism against Vancouver's Emmanuel Sabbi he claims did not take place, and got to serve the third match of the suspension in Open Cup, an entirely separate competition overseen by a body other than MLS. Curious.
One nerdy tidbit
Austin lost the shots battle, 18-9, and the shots on goal category by 8-3, but did elevate to 1.0 worth of xG by the end of the match (to Minnesota's 1.4).
A question we have heading into the press conference
This is a formation that I don't believe we've seen from Austin before? Why this one now? And why start Nicolás Dubersarsky over Owen Wolff given their relative experience?
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.
Žan Kolmanič equalized — for his first MLS goal ever — 11 minutes after Michael Boxall got a fortunate early goal, and Austin FC drew with Minnesota United FC, 1-1, at Allianz Field on Saturday night.
Verde started the match out in a three-center-back formation, with Guilherme Biro joining Oleksandr Svatok and Brendan Hines-Ike in the back three, with Kolmanič and Jon Gallagher functioning as wingbacks.
Brandon Vázquez got a turnover gifted to him in the 4th minute and sent a shot beyond the 18 that tested Loons 'keeper Dayne St. Clair, but the Canadian international was able to deal with it.
But in the 16th minute, Boxall got free in front of goal on a corner kick, slipping past Jon Gallagher to head in a recycled pass past Verde goalkeeper Brad Stuver to grab the early lead, and then a minute later, Tani Oluwaseyi forced Stuver into a save on a header with the potential to double the lead.
But somewhat against the run of play, Gallagher triggered a counter attack in the 27th minute, getting a ball down the right flank to Osman Bukari, finding Myrto Uzuni with a central ball, which he then shuttled to his left to meet an onrushing Kolmanič for the goal.
Austin FC head coach Nico Estévez decided to reinforce via a sub just after an hour passed, bringing in the more experienced Ilie Sánchez.
Brendan Hines-Ike did well to save a 64th-minute effort from Joaquin Pereyra, who hit a shot on a play started by a long Boxall throw.
Then, Estévez made a couple of curious but probably warranted subs, bringing in Owen Wolff and Jáder Obrian for Vázquez and Bukari at the 70-minute mark.
While Austin had to weather a particular hairy moment in the 82nd minute on a Kelvin Yeboah shot that Stuver saved, they hung on — though Uzuni had several more late opportunities that he squandered.
That leaves Austin winless in its last six matches, though it's now three straight draws to improve its recent stretch of matches to 1-4-4.
Best Verde moment (that wasn’t a goal)
The Hines-Ike defensive play was perhaps reflexive but absolutely saved a goal.
Worst Verde moment (that wasn't a goal allowed)
About a half hour in, Uzuni was engineering a promising attack but then ran into Vázquez to thwart the forward momentum, and ended up taking a weak shot despite getting himself in good position. Uzuni also butchered a chance near halftime, bringing a pass down but transforming it into an off-balance shot.
Something you might have missed
Joseph Rosales subbed in at halftime. He was supposed to be serving a three-game suspension for alleged racism against Vancouver's Emmanuel Sabbi he claims did not take place, and got to serve the third match of the suspension in Open Cup, an entirely separate competition overseen by a body other than MLS. Curious.
One nerdy tidbit
Austin lost the shots battle, 18-9, and the shots on goal category by 8-3, but did elevate to 1.0 worth of xG by the end of the match (to Minnesota's 1.4).
A question we have heading into the press conference
This is a formation that I don't believe we've seen from Austin before? Why this one now? And why start Nicolás Dubersarsky over Owen Wolff given their relative experience?
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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