Austin FC’s Q2 Stadium Remains a Fortress, Where No MLS Team Can Score.
Defcon Rating 3: an average display with a bright start and slow finish against the former champs, Columbus. Austin FC’s best chances come in the first two minutes of the game, but they struggled with movement, half chances, quality freekicks throughout the match.
Shorter than usual post due to traveling.
There are two things that I wish I could say first and continue to talk about simultaneously because they are of equal importance. First-first, Cecilio Dominguez has no business playing a striker role. He’s terrible at it. Second-first, at times Austin FC looked bright and dangerous with some of the better decision-making we’ve seen from the Verde.
Cecilio Dominguez moves like Swallowtail Butterfly. He floats around, at times aimless and oblivious to the fact that strikers need to move. Number 9s press, run through gaps, check to the ball, and sometimes draw the defense away for others to run through the middle. Cecilio does none of that. He needs the ball at his feet, running at players and isolating them one-on-one. He lacks the striker’s reflexes and instincts for scoring. These instincts include knowing when to cut, when to check, hitting a ball one time in the box, and aerial prowess. It’s not that he’s a lousy striker; he is simply NOT a striker. At one point in the second-half, Cecilio is a few yards outside of the 18-yard box. The ball is on the wing, and a beautiful cross by Stroud cuts across the penalty spot. Cecilio never moved. He was nowhere in the box because he was still was standing in the same place, waiting for the ball to put to his feet. His career has been spent stepping over the ball, beating players with a deft touch, and honestly, rolling on the pitch. Don’t get me wrong; we need the ball to play through our number 10. Hell, he needs as many touches on the ball as we can give them, but he can’t get those touches playing a center forward’s role. He needs to be on the wing, preferably the left, where he’s more like to beat a player one-on-one and create danger in the box.
Second-first, the start of the match was fire for Austin FC. We were unlucky in the first minute or two not to have at least one goal. Fagundez should have scored. Fagundez is the brightest spot on the pitch, not just because of his hair but because of his hustle and pass distribution. He needs a quality striker to sit behind in a CAM role to make him more effective in the assists and goals department. Our movement down the wings with Stroud and Gallagher was lively and compelling, and there was better distribution to these two engines. As the game progressed without a goal, you could see the frustration settle on the pitch. It opened up the game and gave Columbus more of the ball and more opportunity. Brad Stuver continued in his excellent run of form, batting away the best of the Columbus efforts.
The Verde need to continue to work on their distribution and mental fortitude if goals are to arrive. Another area that they desperately need improvement is in set pieces. Too many of our corners or set-cross hit the first man. Honestly, it’s embarrassing and like watching junior-high kids kicking the ball for the first time — lacking the leg strength or technique to lift the ball. It’s impossible to know how many more chances we might have if we could Just. Get. It. Up.
In a typical season, we’d be happy with a draw against the former champions, and we’d be talking about the grit of a well-earned point. But, it’s the inaugural season, and the supporters need to see some goals.
Verde! Listos!
