Austin FC capitalized on its lone home match in the month of June, defeating New York Red Bulls by a score of 2-1 to notch its second consecutive MLS victory – something the club hadn’t achieved since March.
Guilherme Biro scored early for Austin, while Brandon Vazquez made amends for an own goal by finishing off the winner, with help from some Osman Bukari skill.
Here are our takeaways from the match.
How You Draw It Up
Don’t look now, but Austin FC’s offense might be turning a corner as the second half of the MLS season gets underway. The club has now scored four total goals in its last two games – nothing crazy, but progress – leading to two wins.
On Saturday, against RBNY, both goals Austin scored came from the “Plan-A” chapter of the playbook.
First, the club again benefited from Owen Wolff’s ability to provide service into dangerous areas in the box, assisting Biro, whose well-struck header gave Austin an early 1-0 lead inside six minutes.
Towering header from No. 2️⃣9️⃣ to get us out in front early! 💥 pic.twitter.com/fNBUxwOUkO
— Austin FC (@AustinFC) June 15, 2025
In the second half, Austin designated players Bukari and Vazquez combined to score the second goal in a manner Rodolfo Borrell surely envisioned when he acquired both players for consecutive club-record transfer fees.
Bukari received the ball at the top corner of the penalty box, tiptoed around three New York defenders, then calmly spotted a near-post run from Vazquez and delivered a perfect pass. Vazquez did the rest, finding a small gap between the post and RBNY keeper Carlos Coronel for the finish.
Picture perfect set up from @OsmanBukari9 and finish from @Brvndonv! pic.twitter.com/42nPPcGCel
— Austin FC (@AustinFC) June 15, 2025
When you talk about players finding their chemistry over half a season of soccer, this is what you picture.
Stout Defense Continues
It might not go down as the club’s eighth shutout, but Austin’s defense still kept the high-octane Red Bulls at bay.
Technically speaking, Austin kept its opposition from finding the back of the net … only a headed clearance-gone-wrong from Vazquez could beat Brad Stuver, resulting in an own goal.
Stuver was only called upon to make one save, and it came in the final seconds of the game, denying a New York free kick that threatened to rob ATXFC of the win.
“The group in total did such a great job today that I had to make one save all night,” Stuver said. “They were putting out fires and blocking shots. So altogether, they did great. So that was my turn to step up. I needed to do my job.”
Uzuni Off the Bench
Something to watch as Austin FC attempts to remain hot in the coming weeks … what role does head coach Nico Estévez prefer for $12 million man Myrto Uzuni?
It’s been a disappointing first campaign for the Albanian goalscorer in MLS, mainly because that distinction hasn’t really applied. He’s scored just once in 16 matches.
After returning from Albanian National Team duty, Estévez opted to bring Uzuni off the bench against New York, something we’ve rarely seen.
“We have to understand that he traveled a lot, and then he was tired,” Estévez said. “Obviously, when he came in, he was dangerous.”
For about half of Uzuni’s time on the pitch, he played at the striker position following Vazquez’s substitution. Uzuni at the No. 9 spot as opposed to winger likely improves his chances of making an impact. However, as long as Vazquez is scoring goals, he’s going to be the first choice in that position.
We’ll see how the coach deploys his attackers when the club heads to Seattle to take on the Sounders on the 28th, following a full week off for the club.
This article appears in June 13 • 2025.
