What we can glean from Austin FC's 2-2 draw vs. Chicago Fire FC in preseason action
The good news is Austin FC scored two goals in a match. The bad news is the two goals scored against them came off corner kicks.
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The good news is Austin FC scored two goals in a match. The bad news is the two goals scored against them came off corner kicks.
Nico Estévez provided some welcome news about the lineup ahead of Wednesday's match. He also admitted that there's much work to do between now and the season opener on Feb. 21
Simon Becher scored a 16th-minute goal to provide the difference between the two teams. Offense, in the absence of key attackers, continues to be a concern.
2024's co-leader in goals had a much less productive 2025. But rather than move him to a new team, Austin FC had to use a roster mechanism allowing the club to release him.
Some Austin FC fans have been clamoring for a true heliocentric chance creator. There's an argument to be made that the club already has one.
On Thursday, Austin FC head coach Nico Estévez touted new arrival Joseph Rosales as being positionally flexible. Which is good, given the current injury-riddled Verde attack.
Last year, Austin FC sporting director Rodolfo Borrell famously said, "We have no GAM." MLS just revealed that, compared to the rest of the league, Verde's situation hasn't improved much.
A sports hernia is not the same thing as a hernia, and that's good. But it's still sidelining Owen Wolff for what's optimistically estimated at four to six weeks.
Is Facundo Torres coming to Austin FC? And does that make sense given who got brought in during the offseason so far?
In his prime, James was a star with few parallels in world soccer. We're quite a bit past that prime, though.
We know Austin FC's six opponents for the preseason now ... and you can see one of those live in Austin. Also, Dani Pereira will continue to be Verde through most of his twenties.
Having Owen Wolff on a U22 deal is the best roster-building way to have him on a senior roster spot. But, for the time being, Austin FC has no senior roster spots remaining.