Did Austin FC Take My Advice? Next up St. Louis City SC

Following Austin FC's recent match against Seattle Sounders FC, which resulted in a single point, fans and pundits alike are questioning whether the team has truly absorbed crucial advice or if they're stuck in a rut.

In the aftermath of the Seattle encounter, Coach Josh Wolff pointed to the challenging turf conditions, describing it as, "Heavy. It was new turf. There was a lot of rubber, it affected both teams." However, the stark contrast in shots on goal, with Austin FC managing only two compared to Seattle's formidable 23 attempts, raises valid concerns about the team's offensive prowess. When asked about the team's reluctance to shoot from distance, Wolff's response seemed tepid, stating, "I think there’s always … hmmm, it’s just a balance, I’d say from a probability standpoint shooting from distance doesn’t add up all the time but im with you. If there’s some good looks for guys to shoot I’d like from them to shoot," promising to relay the message to the players.

As Austin FC prepares to face St. Louis City SC on Saturday night, the signs are ominous. St. Louis is renowned for its aggressive press and swift wing attacks, led by players like Célio Pompeu, Indiana Vassilev, Aziel Jackson, and Samuel Adeniran. Coach Bradley Carnell emphasized their pressing strategy in his recent press conference, stating, “The press for us never starts at the back. The striker initiates it, the strikers read the passes, the strikers are supported by the 10’s, the 6ths, and then the backline.”

Despite the challenges, Austin FC colombian midfielder Jhojan Valencia's standout performance, with an impressive 11 recoveries in his debut start, offers a glimmer of hope. However, it's clear that Austin FC's defensive stability can only carry them so far; goals are what truly separate contenders from pretenders.

While goalkeeper Brad Stuver's heroics have often bailed out Austin FC, relying solely on defensive heroics is a precarious strategy. The potential return from injured Sebastian Driussi could inject much-needed firepower into their attack.

In conclusion, Austin FC finds itself at a pivotal juncture. The choice is theirs, but the repercussions of inaction could be catastrophic. Kick off is at 7:30 p.m. at Q2 stadium.