Austin FC lackluster in 2-0 MLS loss to Orlando City SC
Austin FC left Orlando on Saturday without any injuries.
Though that in itself might be a win with its roster situation, it was one of the club’s highlights of the night.
The Verde & Black’s season-long issues of little depth and little offense reared their heads again in a 2-0 loss to Orlando City SC at Inter & Co Stadium.
Jack Lynn’s first-half header and Nicolás Lodeiro’s second-half free kick accounted for the hosts' goals.
Here are some thoughts from the match before Austin FC (0-2-3, 3 points) returns home Saturday for a rivalry game with FC Dallas.
Offense lacking
In his postgame press conference, Austin FC coach Josh Wolff called his team’s performance “disappointing” and noted that from the coaching staff to the players “everyone has to be better.”
The Verde & Black were punchless on offense, with an expected goals stat of 0.35 and four shots, only one of which was on goal. Austin FC didn’t look particularly crisp at any point with the ball and generated few scoring chances. Its best opportunity came when Jáder Obrian sent a wide-open shot from the top of the box 10 yards over the goal and into the stands.
Outside of that, Orlando’s defense rarely was threatened or had to make any plays.
Wolff admitted his team needed to create more and be better with possession, and it’s the second straight road game where Austin FC has looked a bit rough. Especially in the second half prior to Lodeiro’s goal, the Verde & Black were out of sync and didn’t appear to be on the same page with each other on what they wanted to do.
Gallagher out of position on first goal
Right back Jon Gallagher was poor defensively on Lynn’s goal late in the first half, leaving him unmarked on the back post and allowing an easy score off a cross.
Gallagher was an all-star a year ago and has generally been solid this season, but this was a bad mistake.
Austin FC was marginally better in the first half, and instead of going into the break even at 0-0 with hope of a result, the club trailed and had no momentum.
Positives
Midfielder Sebastián Driussi played more than 70 minutes, which was a bit of a surprise and a good sign for the club going forward. He looked a bit rusty at times in his second game of the season, but once he gets fully up to speed and match-fit, it should make a world of difference for Austin FC.
In his first appearance of the season, center back Brendan Hines-Ike played the full 90 minutes. This was also surprising considering he just joined the club in mid-February. However, he was generally adequate and provided a much-needed performance for a back line with little depth.
More: Austin FC II eliminated from U.S. Open Cup in heartbreaking fashion
Man of the match: Brad Stuver
Continuing an excellent season, Stuver made six saves, including two that were highlight-worthy and kept Austin FC in the game.
Bottom line
Wolff said for the first time that the club is in a “rebuild.”
While that’s been apparent to anyone who paid attention to the club’s lack of moves over the winter and this season's first five games, it was interesting that he noted it in a press conference.
It’s been stated multiple times in this space that Austin FC is going to have to muddle through the first half of the season until June, when it presumably will bring in some help in the summer international transfer window.
A result Saturday was always going to be a long shot — Las Vegas sportsbooks had an El Tree win at 4-1 odds — with starters Julio Cascante and Dani Pereira on national team duty and Zan Kolmanic and Leo Väisänen out with injuries.
Still, Austin FC could have showed more energy.
Whether the Verde & Black can pick up enough points prior to June to make the second half of the season worth anything is the big question.
It has an example a year ago in Kansas City, which had no wins and only three points through the first 10 matches but eventually went on to sneak in the playoffs and get within minutes of advancing to the Western Conference final.
However, it was also the best team in the MLS from May through October.
Austin FC will have to be better than it was Saturday, but panic time has not arrived … yet.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin FC lackluster in 2-0 MLS loss to Orlando City SC
