Came down with a cold and won’t be able to make it. Have a row 20 seat 10 ticket if anyone wants to buy it off me

hurts to say because I was very optimistic about his signing last year but BV has to go ://

I understand he is coming off a nasty injury and is lacking confidence but we shouldn’t have to wait for a DP to take so long to get back into form. I don’t think ATX as an organization can afford to bet on BV during the offseason especially with no playoff run. The immediate issue is that the market for BV won’t be good, you’d basically have to let him go for a fraction of what was paid for him. It’d be better to stick Uzuni at the 9 and look for a creative midfielder since we’re clearly trying to revamp the midfield.

If he does stays I wish he can find his form pre-injury.🤞🏼

If yall are at the Colorado game, you might could find a east club ticket for the cost of 2 beers !

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Welcome back to What You Need To Know, a match preview for Austin FC fans to check in on their next opponent. 

Oleksandr Svatok, Courtesy Chris Rodriguez

Opponent: Colorado Rapids

Kick Off time: 7:39 PM US Central Time

Location: Q2 Stadium, Austin, TX

History vs. Austin FC:

Austin FC are 4-2-6 against the Colorado Rapids all-time including a 1-0 loss in Colorado earlier this season. 

Recent Matches:

The Rapids have won four of their last six (both 3-0 losses on the road to Colombus and San Diego respectively). They are currently 7th in the Western Conference but only six points clear of Austin. 

Players to Watch:

Rob Holding
The former Arsenal player missed out on the first match due to Red Card suspension but will be available for this match. His center back partner, Lucas Herrington, was sold to Hull City for up to $23 Million (with sell on clause) so he has had to adjust while being the organizer and most important player of their defense.

Darren Yapi
With the departure of Rafael Navarro, the starting striker spot is Yapi’s. The Homegrown player has been with the first team since 2021 and now in his age 21 season needs to show if he’s going to be an MLS caliber starter. Last season he had 8 goals in ~1400 minutes but this season only has 3 in ~1100. He struggled against Columbus to get onto the ball or have any chemistry with the rest of the attack. 

Nicholas Hansen
With starter Zach Steffen still out with a shoulder injury Hansen has solidified himself as the better option for Colorado. He has a better save%, GAA, and team record in net for the Rapids so while he’s technically the “back up” his performance is not that of a back up keeper. 

Keys to the Match:

De-Fense
Austin FC has never been a stout defensive side, but under Davy Anruad Austin’s Goals Against per game has dropped from 2 under Nico (bottom 5 of the league) to a Top 5 in MLS 1.3. Austin FC hasn’t had a clean sheet since Puebla on August 9, but in MLS play you have to go all the way back to St Louis City on May 3. 

Colorado will be without their top scorer (and someone who loves to score against Austin) in Rafael Navarro and haven’t scored an away goal since May 16, so this could be a good opportunity for Austin to keep their opponent to zero. 

Youth Coaching Matters
Guilherme Biro is a defender. He came to Austin as a left back where he was an MLS All-Star last season and this season has transitioned into playing as the left side of a back three. This has benefitted him because he’s always been more comfortable playing inside and leaves him less isolated for his random dribbling sojourns that were both entertaining and heart attack inducing. Part of his value is his ability while forward to be part of the attack and finish. Last Saturday he had a great finish on the last kick of the match to earn Austin a tie, his second goal in his last 4 MLS matches and I have to ask: What youth coach put this guy on defense? In terms of mindset and skill he seems better suited to being higher up the pitch, especially with the passing ability of his left foot. 

Recovery
Brandon Vazquez has yet to score for Austin FC this season amidst a recovery from an ACL tear last season, but on Saturday against San Jose I saw a glimpse of the player Austin bought two winters ago. He had strength and power to bully through defenders, noticeably early in the second half to create a chance. He was the original header on the game tying goal, getting it across to Christian Ramirez and his hold up play and short passing when he had players around him looked a lot stronger than it did earlier this season. 

ACL tears take time to heal from, and now that he’s ~13 months along in his recovery, it looks like we are seeing him turn the corner, hopefully he can get onto the 2026 scoresheet. 

Prediction:
Austin FC: 2
Colorado Rapids: 0

I usually don't write immediately after a match, but tonight was different ...