Austin FC’s Scoreless Streak Continues, Fans Disgruntled, Coach Dissatisfied

The mood in the media workroom after Austin FC’s 0-0 draw against the New England Revolution on Saturday night was grim, with one photographer quipping the match was “almost as exciting as last week’s match” – a sardonic nod to the match postponed due to central Texas flooding. This latest shutout marks the ninth time this season Austin FC has failed to find the back of the net, and arguably the most frustrating.

Despite dominating possession for only the eighth time in 24 matches and outshooting the Revolution 18-12, Austin FC simply couldn’t convert opportunities. The disengagement among fans was palpable, extending beyond the usual boisterous general admission sections. Empty seats were noticeable even in the high-dollar west-side sections, a testament to both the season-ending injury of Brandon Vazquez and the team’s lackluster performance.

The mounting frustration even appeared to reach the pitch, as star goalkeeper Brad Stuver noticeably skipped the team huddle before the second half. Head coach Nico Estevez didn’t mince words post-match, stating, “At the end of the game, I didn’t think we deserved to win the game. We were pushing, we were having effort, but not clear ideas [on how to score goals].”

Estevez called out striker Myrto Uzuni’s performance. “It’s a pity. He had really good two chances. He worked really hard. He should be the man of the match today, making [it] a win, but he couldn’t convert that,” Estevez said. While Estevez was candid about his team’s deserving outcome, his assessment that “It is what it is. We are unlucky” suggests a deeper issue. In MLS, lack of preparation and leadership, not misfortune, are often the true culprits behind a team’s struggles.