MLS NEXT Pro announced today that Austin FC II (4-0-1, 13 pts.) has been named the league’s Team of Matchday for Week 4. The Verde & Black notched six points last week through a pair of shutout home victories, defeating North Texas SC 3-0 and St. Louis CITY SC 2 2-0. ATXFC II extended their unbeaten streak to start the season and sit in first place in the Western Conference standings.
In ATXFC II’s first match of the week against North Texas SC, Valentin Noël netted his second brace of the season within the first 12 minutes of play. Noël’s first goal came on a penalty kick, after he dribbled through defenders and got fouled to earn the PK. Noël found the back of the net again as a turnover by North Texas SC gave him enough space in the box to put the Verde & Black ahead 2-0 early. Alfonso Ocampo-Chávez added a third just a minute later, his second goal of the season which put ATXFC II up 3-0 with just 13 minutes on the clock.
With two games in five days, Head Coach Brett Uttley’s substitutes were the difference makers against St. Louis. David Rodríguez started the second half for the Verde & Black and scored his first goal of the season in the 66th-minute. Ocampo-Chávez found Rodríguez in the box, who then flicked it over the goalie to give ATXFC II the lead. Austin FC Academy product Micah Burton then sealed the victory in the 88th-minute. The 17-year-old scored his first professional goal as he brought the ball down in the box and fired it in the bottom right corner, resulting in Ocampo-Chávez’s second assist of the night.
The backline for ATXFC II held strong through Matchday 4 with no goals allowed over 180 minutes. First-team loanee Kipp Keller has played every minute for Austin FC II this season and ranks first in accurate passes (353). Sal Mazzaferro has also displayed great composure in the backline, with an accurate pass percentage of 93.7 percent in 446 minutes of play. Goalkeeper Damian Las finished the week with two clean sheets and nine saves through the two matches. Las ranks second in the league in saves with 18 through the first month of the season.
After playing three games in the past 10 days, ATXFC II will get a week’s rest before traveling to Los Angeles for their second road match of the season. The Verde & Black will face Galaxy II with kickoff at 7 p.m. CT.
