The Apple TV broadcast Saturday momentarily panned to a shot of an Austin FC fan in the stands at Dignity Health Sports Park with a paper bag cut over his head and the word “Believed” written on it.
It was a concise summary of where the club stands finishing its sixth year.
As Austin FC finishes out a dreadful campaign that will see it miss the playoffs for the third time in four seasons and hit a hard reset this winter, it mercifully only has one match left following a 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy.
And while this was a game that was likely never going to be a positive for the Verde and Black considering the meaningless circumstances, it was a reminder of what’s failed to materialize for Austin FC the last nine months.
Here are three key takeaways from the match as Austin FC (8-15-10, 34 points, 14th West) ends the season Saturday at home against Portland.
What Austin FC did well…
Almost all of the positives from this game came from players 23 or younger.
Ervin Torres, Jorge Alastuey and Micah Burton played well and with great effort, with Torres providing Austin FC’s goal on a brilliant bending shot from 22 yards out.
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Torres gave credit to Burton for his assist and noted the time the trio spent playing for Austin FC II together produced good chemistry.
“I think we understand each other and what we do,” said Torres, who was ranked No. 19 on the MLS’ 22 under 22 list released last week. “That was a big part of it. … As young players, we especially have to show up and play our best.”
Austin FC interim coach Davy Arnaud noted the club needs to “get something out of the final two games” by playing young players like Torres, Alastuey, Burton and goalie Damian Las to “learn what guys are all about.”
It’s the right move, especially in meaningless contests where a 4-1 loss is the same as a 1-0 loss.
What Austin FC didn’t do well…
The backline was a mess, especially Ilie Sanchez and Mikkel Desler.
Sanchez was slow, had a poor clearance that led to the Galaxy’s first goal and was out of position on at least one more. He turns 36 in three weeks and could be entering his final game with the club. (It seems doubtful Austin FC would exercise the 2027 option on his contract, but it could roll the dice since he’s on a low salary of $225,000.)
In Sanchez’s defense, center back is not his natural position and he just played 90 minutes Wednesday. He probably shouldn’t have started and definitely shouldn’t have played 75 minutes.
Austin FC interim coach Davy Arnaud’s explanation of starting Sanchez due to his better passing ability instead of natural center backs Oleksandr Svatok or Brendan Hines-Ike made sense the last three matches, but it didn’t Saturday.
Arnaud has done a lot of things right in the tough situation he’s been put in, but he waited at least 15 minutes too long to sub out Sanchez.
Desler was subpar and beaten several times on the right side, and the rest of Austin FC’s veterans turned in mostly blasé performances.
Bottom line
Arnaud said all the right things about how motivation should never be an issue for the Verde and Black, but playing a meaningless game on the road on short rest is not a recipe for an inspired performance from veteran players. They can see the offseason is seven days away, and some – Zan Kolmanic? – may know their time with the club is over.
The Galaxy also entered the contest playing for its postseason life and on five days’ rest.
It showed.
It would have been interesting if Austin FC had given Arnaud a couple of players in the summer transfer window to help make the playoffs, but the Verde and Black seem to be playing the long game.
“We moved on from six players over the summer,” Arnaud said. “The goal was to try and set up the club to be successful in the (winter) window and next summer.”
It’s a move that needs to work, otherwise paper bags could become a constant sight.
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This article originally published at Austin FC suffers blowout loss to LA Galaxy in penultimate game of MLS season.
