Austin FC Shows Grit and Heart in Road Win Over LAFC

It might not win any beauty contests, but Austin FC captured its first signature win of the Nico Estévez era with a 1-0 away victory versus LAFC Saturday afternoon.

The Verde and Black swiped an early goal off a corner kick courtesy of Guilherme Biro, then frustrated the perennial playoff team with scrappy defense for the remainder of the match to walk away with three points, a clean sheet, and a head-turning result.

Here are our takeaways from the match.

Defensive Masterclass

While Austin FC hasn’t yet found its attacking rhythm so far this season, scoring just two goals through four games, it’s also conceded just as few. The result has been four consecutive matches settled by 1-0 scorelines: two wins and two losses.

Despite having the ball for nearly two-thirds of the match, LAFC managed just three shots on goal, all from tight angles that never troubled Brad Stuver. And despite being down two members of the club’s opening night back line, the Verde defense looked well-organized throughout.

“What I like is how, always, [there] was a teammate there. How, if the opponent breaks you, we always had a teammate to cover you. And this is what we talk [about], you know, be there for each other,” Estévez said.

The Spanish coach has quickly instilled a defensive identity within his group, with every player on the pitch – high-priced forwards Brandon Vazquez and Myrto Uzuni included – bought into their defensive responsibilities. Man of the match, though, needs to go to Jon Gallagher for his yeoman’s work containing LAFC’s superstar winger Denis Bouanga on the right wing. Especially considering that, up until Mikkel Desler’s hamstring injury a week ago, Gallagher had been training as a winger all season.

Owen’s Emergence

While Austin’s three designated players – Vazquez, Uzuni, and Osman Bukari – continue to search for their customary form, Owen Wolff has stepped up as the MVP of the club’s attack so far this season.

Wolff logged his second assist of the year on Biro’s goal; both of Austin’s pair of goals this year have come directly off Wolff’s corner kicks. But beyond that, the shifty midfielder has manufactured some of the club’s best attacking moments throughout the first month of the season. His two key passes against LAFC added to his team-leading eight for the campaign, which might be developing into a breakout year for the increasingly experienced 20-year-old.

“With this being I believe my fourth season, you know, being able to get more comfortable within the team and around the guys as well, for sure, has helped me elevate my game,” Wolff said.

Wolff has quickly earned himself Estévez’s trust. The same can’t as easily be said for fellow midfielder Dani Pereira, who found himself coming off the bench for the first time this season. Besard Sabovic made his first start in Pereira’s place.

Healthy Anger

Generally speaking, it’s important for athletes to keep their emotions under control. That being said, a little fire in the eyes can go a long way toward making sure you don’t get pushed around by the opponent. That element was missing during the club’s first road trip, a 1-0 loss against the Portland Timbers.

“What we learned against Portland is that we didn’t see that – that aggressive team that wants to win on the road,” Estévez said.

In L.A., however, there was plenty of aggression. It came to a head in the 78th minute, when LAFC midfielder Timothy Tillman undercut Stuver as he leapt to snatch an aerial ball. Stuver, Brendan Hines-Ike, and other ATX players immediately stepped up to confront Tillman about the objectively dirty play, letting LAFC know they wouldn’t be pushed around.

Another look at the play by Tillman on Stuver pic.twitter.com/fHUT6LHf4i

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 15, 2025

For more Austin FC news and analysis, visit The Austin Chronicle‘s Austin FC hub. Follow The Verde Report columnist Eric Goodman on X: @goodman.

This article appears in March 14 • 2025.