With a new coach at the helm and a host of debuting impact players in the fold, Austin FC’s MLS opener on Feb. 22 won’t just mark the beginning of a new season, but a whole new era for the Verde and Black.
Thanks to sporting director Rodolfo Borrell’s hyperaggressive offseason, in which the club spent over $25 million in transfer fees, Austin FC’s roster appears, on paper, stronger than ever. But whether that financial investment translates to success on the pitch largely falls at the feet of Nico Estévez, the man Borrell hand-picked to serve as the second-ever head coach in club history.
Estévez’s CV, headlined by an impressively middling 28W-27L-28D record in three seasons at FC Dallas from 2022-2024, doesn’t exactly foreshadow success. But the Valencia native’s flexibility and adaptability – he often talks about adjusting his tactics to best fit his players, rather than vice versa – should work in his favor as he attempts to make sense of the high-priced puzzle Borrell has put on his plate.
Forwards
The vast majority of Borrell’s spending netted Austin a pair of bona fide goalscorers in Brandon Vazquez and Myrto Uzuni. They profile as somewhat similar players, both versatile, athletic, physically imposing strikers in their primes that can be lethal in front of goal and dangerous in the air.
The challenge for Estévez will be to make sure that Vazquez and Uzuni – who both do their best work centrally – understand how to complement each other rather than get in each other’s way.
Thanks to sporting director Rodolfo Borrell’s hyperaggressive offseason, Austin FC’s roster appears, on paper, stronger than ever.
Creating constant service for the pair will also be key, and likely starts with the club’s third designated player, Osman Bukari, on the wing. Bukari showed the ability to consistently beat defenders in one-on-one situations during his first half-season in Austin.
Jáder Obrian and Diego Rubio offer ATXFC valuable veteran depth, along with young players CJ Fodrey and Jimmy Farkarlun.
Midfielders
Sebastián Driussi’s departure means that Austin FC is likely to join the trend of teams abandoning the classic No. 10 position in attacking midfield in favor of more versatility from box to box. Fortunately for Estévez, ATXFC has several high-quality options that fit that mold.
ATX returners Dani Pereira and Owen Wolff, along with newcomers Ilie Sánchez and Besard Sabovic all profile as starting-caliber MLS central midfielders. Sánchez is most likely at the top of the pecking order given his unrivaled experience, soccer IQ, and leadership (he’s a safe bet to start the season as captain). He’s 34, though, and will likely need his minutes managed.
That may provide an opportunity for exciting prospects Micah Burton, 18, and Nicolás Dubersarsky, 20, to earn first-time minutes periodically throughout the season.
Defenders
While practically overhauling Austin FC’s forwards and midfielders over the winter, Borrell largely left the club’s defensive unit untouched from a season ago. That continuity and familiarity will surely have its benefits, especially early on.
If Estévez chooses, he can roll out the same starting back line that had success toward the later part of Austin’s 2024 season with Guilherme Biro, Oleksandr Svatok, Brendan Hines-Ike, and Mikkel Desler all returning.
The club also boasts high-quality depth in the back with several former ATXFC starters in Jon Gallagher, Julio Cascante, Leo Väisänen, and Žan Kolmanič now stationed in reserve.
In goal, Brad Stuver will enter his fifth straight year as Austin FC’s unquestioned No. 1 between the posts, with backup Stefan Cleveland on hand if needed.
This article appears in February 14 • 2025.
