There’s lots of really cool things you can get up to in Vancouver. Whale watching, for instance. Mountain biking, obviously. Make the 90-minute drive north and shred some Olympic powder at Whistler, of course.
For Austin FC, though, Vancouver offers an attraction of an entirely different sort: an opportunity to earn some big-time MLS respect and prove that the club’s productive seven-game start to the 2025 season is no fluke, but rather the early stages of a playoff-bound campaign.
After battling the Portland Timbers to a goalless draw in the unseasonably chilly Austin air last weekend, Austin FC extended its unbeaten streak to four games and remained nestled in the Western Conference top four. The club’s fourth shutout of the season improved Austin’s defensive record to the best in MLS, having allowed just three goals in seven games. Yet, despite all that, the Verde and Black still apparently haven’t earned the confidence of the league’s national observers.
ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo, and even MLS’ own website all have Austin FC 10th out of 30 in their respective latest power rankings. Now, power rankings are a lot like podcasts, in that anyone can have one and most are a complete waste of everyone’s time. If you prefer Vegas bookmaking, ATXFC is tied for the eighth-shortest odds to win the MLS Cup. Slightly better, but still closer to average than elite.
Grabbing a result in Vancouver Saturday evening would go a long way toward Austin FC entering the contender conversation.
The Whitecaps currently sit in pole position for the Supporters’ Shield with a stellar 5-1-1 record, which would be impressive even without considering that the club has also simultaneously manufactured a deep run in the CONCACAF Champions Cup this spring. First-year manager Jesper Sørensen has guided the ’Caps to the league’s joint-best goal difference of plus-seven.
“They’re playing amazing,” ATX coach Nico Estévez said, adding, “Their field is always really difficult, because that turf is a little bit special.”
BC Place does have a nasty reputation for its uneven, unsightly synthetic lawn, which organizers are hoping to replace in time for the stadium to host seven matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In the meantime, though, less-than-pristine field conditions could very well play in favor of Austin’s defensive identity, an identity Estévez has done well to implement in such a short time in Austin.
“One of the things that I always bring to my teams is to be hard to beat. With Dallas, the first year, we were the best defense in the West. The second year, we were the second best defending team in the West. I think that builds the foundation of a team,” the coach said. “And now it’s about how we can grow on the offense.”
To date, Austin’s $30 million front line hasn’t lived up to the price tag, with the club averaging less than a goal per game. However, Myrto Uzuni, whose unshakable confidence we profiled last week, isn’t alarmed by the team’s offensive struggles as of yet. He spoke to that following the Portland game in a quote translated from Spanish by We Are Austin TV.
“Of course not. That is a certainty. Alarmed? Why? Three wins, one draw [in the last four matches], why do we have to be alarmed? The confidence is here, with all of the players,” Uzuni said.
One thing’s for sure, Austin FC won’t be scared playing as the road team. The club is coming off two impressive wins – at LAFC and at St. Louis City – in its previous two away matches. A third, against the West-leading Whitecaps, should be more than enough to earn the Verde and Black some serious national respect.
“We’re going to be a tough team there,” Estévez assured. “We’re going to be a tough team. And this is what I know.”
This article appears in April 11 • 2025.
