Let’s go under the hood for a second. Wednesday night Austin FC matches – of which there are many – are a pain in the ass for this column. The Chronicle goes to print in the wee hours of Thursday morning, meaning any action the night before comes well after the latest possible deadline.
This week, that means not knowing whether the Verde and Black defeated the Portland Timbers at Providence Park, mathematically extending their season another handful of days, or whether they failed to take home all three points, thereby guaranteeing themselves elimination from the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. (We’ll have the latest from that match, including any potential fallout, at austinchronicle.com/austin-fc.)
In lieu of breaking news, we’ll use this week’s column as an opportunity to smile through the pain, shedding some positive light on a handful of players that have impressed, showed improvement, or otherwise deserve flowers despite the club’s disappointing season as a whole.
Guilherme Biro
Rodolfo Borrell and Austin FC plucked Brazilian left back Guilherme Biro from near obscurity in January, joining from Mirassol in the Brazilian second division. Biro has gone on to play the fifth-most minutes of any ATX player so far this season, unseating Žan Kolmanič as the starting left back (and, as of late, left center back in a back-five).
Biro has been more than solid defensively for the Verde and Black, with the second-most tackles and interceptions on the team to his name. The 24-year-old has also scored three goals on the year – including the late tying goal in Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Real Salt Lake – and has proved himself to be a weapon for Austin FC from a deep-lying position.
Jáder Obrian
Through 31 games, the fact that Austin FC’s leading scorer has bagged just seven goals is emblematic of the difficulty the club has had creating offense this season. However, that shouldn’t take away from the year that Jáder Obrian has had in his first season in Austin.
Obrian has been the club’s most consistently reliable finisher throughout the season – which, again, isn’t saying much – but the Colombian has been impressive nonetheless. He’s converted 12 shots on goal into seven goals and added on four assists to lead the club in total goal contributions.
At 29 years old, Obrian is expected back with the club next season, where he will likely come off the bench more often than not behind DP winger Osman Bukari. That’s good news for ATXFC, though, as Obrian is exactly the kind of dynamic player that coaches love to have lurking as a substitute.
Brad Stuver
Austin’s leader between the posts, Brad Stuver is polishing off arguably the best season of his career. He’s on track to play every single minute of MLS action for Austin FC for the second consecutive year. His save percentage is over 75% for the first time, and his goals against per game rate is nearly a career low.
According to FBRef, Stuver has saved his club 6.6 goals above expectation over the course of the season, third best in all of MLS.
Once again, Stuver has proved himself invaluable to the Verde and Black in his fourth season as a starter. Where the club would be without him, we need not imagine.
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This article appears in October 4 • 2024.
