Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff was clear during his weekly press conference, his team needs to score more goals. But what’s also clear is that his team has done a good job of keeping the ball out of the back of its own net.
The Verde & Black have conceded just eight goals through seven matches, putting them among the top 10 defensive teams in the league despite having to play all of their first seven matches on the road.
“The defensive side is very much a collective outfit. We started with a bit of a 4-3-3 and certainly the ways we want to press and build pressure,” Wolff said on Tuesday. “... Collectively we try to create a good set of principles to defend with -- whether that’s midblock or recovery and low block and I think that’s what helps when you do have rotations.”
Part of Austin’s success defensively comes from one of the principles that Wolff and the rest of the coaching staff have preached since the start. That principle is building from the back through possession. When you have the ball, the other team doesn’t. That means there’s less of a chance they can score.
ATXFC have possessed the ball more than 50% of the time in their matches, despite playing all road matches -- typically home teams control the possession, which has been true so far this year in MLS.
“We try to do, in our possession, a lot to make the other team run so I think we’re doing a pretty good job at building from the goalkeeper and having the ball in our possession,” said left back Žan Kolmanič during a press conference on Thursday. “We are working on finishing more attacks and of course not giving up chances for the opponents.”
It’s not like the team has been able to rely on a consistent lineup at the back either. Goalkeeper Brad Stuver is the only player among the back six (GK, defenders, defensive midfielder) to start every match. Julio Cascante has made two starts at center back with Matt Besler and Jhohan Romaña each missing a match so far. Ben Sweat tore his ACL after making two starts while Nick Lima and Alex Ring have each missed a start.
Of all those players, Stuver is the one who has made the most outstanding performances.
“He’s never had that chance to be the out-and-out starter and that was part of the idea of coming here,” said Wolff. “He’s taken it and run with it to some degree. His performance, his calmness in goal, playing through pressure, his decisions when we want to play long or when we can play short.
“And just his shot stopping, that’s something that’s probably stood out the most. He’s made some very good saves, kept us in some games and that has a lot to do with his focus right now and where he’s at.”
The defense will look to build on their second shutout of the season when they visit Sporting Kansas City to get some revenge after their 2-1 loss last month. A good result there will give the team plenty of momentum heading into the home opener against the San Jose Earthquakes on June 19.
