Austin FC vs Houston Dynamo: 3 takeaways as Verde win MLS derby 2-0

Austin FC was desperate for a win

This wasn’t a must-win contest for Austin FC, but for the 10th match of the season, it’s about as close as one could be. The Verde & Black had no momentum and in the last two weeks had lost to a USL club in the U.S. Open Cup and been blown out 5-1 by San Jose. “(The win) is really, really important, just from a tough week standpoint for us as players and for the club,” Hines-Ike said. “I think the biggest thing was putting together a full performance, because that’s been clearly indicative of our last few results.” With 60% of its teams making the playoffs, the MLS forgives long stretches of poor play in the regular season. (The New York Red Bulls won only one of their final nine matches in 2024 before going on to win the Eastern Conference.) However, Austin FC’s is magnified because it has come at the beginning of the year. And while the three points are good, the Verde & Black need to follow up with at least a draw against St. Louis. “It’s game by game,” Hines-Ike said. “It’s by no means the end of the season when we lose like that to San Jose, and by no means are we firmly in a playoff position after tonight. … We have five more important games before the (World Cup) break and we have to maximize points.”

Verde & Black avoid second-half letdown

Plagued by defensive letdowns in the second half this season, part of which are due to their injury issues, the Verde & Black finished off the game with a measured approach in the second half. They were arguably too conservative at times, yet one never got the feel that Houston would make a comeback. “We’ve played into the other team’s hands sometimes (in previous games),” Hines-Ike said. “We’ve made it counterattack games, which is not Austin FC’s style, especially when we’re tired. … We focused (the last two days in training) on being more possession-based and not allowing teams to run over us. And we were much more compact.”

Being healthy makes a difference for Austin FC

After playing with a limited roster Wednesday at San Jose due to injuries, Austin FC had the majority of its key players. (Midfielders Owen Wolff and Dani Pereira were the only two missing.) It showed in the buildup to Nelson’s goal, when a quick passing combination by Christian Ramírez, Myrto Uzuni and Facundo Torres found him in the box. Nelson then put a move on his defender and curled his shot inside the far post. Nelson has proven to be a difference-maker for Austin FC on the wing. He’s fast, smart and has good skills on the ball. Unfortunately, he’s struggled with injuries this season, including Saturday when he left the match in the 40th minute with what looked like a hamstring injury. Austin FC plays once in the next 14 days before playing four times the following 14 days. If Nelson, Wolff and Pereira — and maybe even Brandon Vazquez — are available for the final four-game stretch, the Verde & Black might be able to show their true potential for the second half of the season.