Stuuuuu to the Rescue
Fan Thoughts on Austin FC at Nashville SC match - August 24, 2024
Pre-match impressions:
Nashville SC has been terrible most of this MLS season including losing their last six MLS regular season matches. That poor form has led to the firing of Gary Smith and B.J. Callaghan of brief USMNT fame is now in charge with a different style of play. But in order to legitimately contend for a playoff spot, this is a must-win for Austin FC even if it is on the road at Geodis Park. My prediction ahead of this matchup is Austin 2-1.
Let’s look at the lineup:
Looks like Josh Wolff is going with the exact same lineup that lost 2-0 at LAFC back on August 7. With no true striker, Sebastian Driussi is back in the “false 9” role and that means Austin’s forwards will have to contend with Nashville’s premier (and quite tall) center back Walker Zimmerman, who is back from the Olympics. Osman Bukari and Mikel Desler make their MLS regular season debuts. One of Wolff’s favorites, Julio Cascante, isn’t even on the bench as a substitute which I personally think is a good thing but that goes to show the center back depth that now exists on the roster. Also at what point of this season did Matt Hedges begin to lock up a starting center back spot ?
Stream of consciousness match thoughts:
Stream of consciousness or internal monologue… not sure what the proper literary term is but essentially this will be my own gut reaction thoughts as the match progresses. Let’s get into it…
Less than 2 minutes into the match, Brendan Hines-Ike arrives late and knocks into the leg of Nashville’s Jacob Shaffelburg inside the box. The referee is indicating no foul. Whew. That seemed like a foul to me but maybe Austin will be spared as play continues on.
Nevermind. VAR stops play and the referee awards a penalty to Nashville. Ugh. Wasn’t Hines-Ike called for a similar foul (and resulting penalty) in another match fairly recently ? How does this happen two minutes in and from a vet like BHI ? Be better.
2022 MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar will take the penalty kick from the spot - going down a goal this early on the road with no striker… not ideal.
Stuuuuu makes a huge save on the Mukhar PK by pushing the ball to his right and it then ricochets off the post and away from the net!
Lots of possession early for Nashville. Twelve minutes in and no touches for Bukari (and only a touch or two for Driussi). They’ve got to get their DPs involved.
Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis comes way out of his area and is left a bit exposed but captain Alex Ring hits it right back at Willis instead of being able to possibly chip it over him.
Driussi makes a good run in the 18th minute. Bukari with a solid cross but Driussi heads it well wide. That may have been the best chance for Austin so far.
Mukhtar has another good chance in the 22nd minute but doesn’t take it well. Where is the former MVP ? I’m not complaining, just curious.
There is a long stoppage with no explanation. The MLS Season Pass announcers on Apple TV are mentioning something about use of abusive language ?? I have no idea who was involved and apparently neither do they. Still waiting for play to resume.
Driussi scores but they call it back for a foul (possibly on Bukari for hooking a defender). Bummer as that goal would’ve come from out of nowhere.
Jon Gallagher scores in the 43rd minute! Excellent pass from Ring to find Gallagher in space with plenty of room and Gallagher finishes it past Willis. Austin up 1-0 on the road. Let’s gooooo.
Driussi gets banged up towards the end of the first half but appears to be ok. Austin up 1-0 at halftime.
Bad giveaway by Hedges in the 54th minute leads to a Nashville corner. Then a great one hand save by Stuver to keep Austin in the lead. Stuuuuu comes up big again.
Bukari is able to shake some Nashville defenders and gets a shot off at minute 60 but on his left foot. Willis is able to make the save. Almost saw a moment of “magic” from Bukari.
Desler with a huge recovery clearance on a Nashville counter in transition and he screams as the ball is cleared. This team has needed someone in the back like Desler for a long time.
Uh oh, Hedges whiffs on a ball and Nashville striker Sam Surridge gets behind him in open space. Stuver comes out and makes another save to deny Surridge. Stuuuuu!
Gallagher in transition, sends a cross to Driussi with no one there and Driussi heads it over the bar. That should’ve been the game clincher right there. Seba has to finish that chance.
Hmm it’s the 77th minute and still no subs for Austin. What are you waiting for Josh ?
And here come the first subs at minute 88. It’s Gyasi Zardes and Johan Valencia coming in for Owen Wolff and Dani Periera. Better late than never to bring in subs I guess. Hopefully it’s not too late for some fresh legs.
Off a clearance, Bukari steals the ball, Willis comes wayyyyy out and misses getting near the ball. Bukari slides past him and practically passes it into an empty net for his first Austin FC goal. 2-0 Austin and that should clinch it! Immediately, Bukari is subbed out for Jader Obrian.
Driussi has another scoring chance later but misses and is subbed out for Diego Rubio.
Final 2-0 Austin on the road.
Numbers don’t lie:
Apple TV flashes the final stats showing possession (Nashville 59% and Austin 41%) and xG (Nashville 2.58 and Austin 1.76)
Not sure I buy that xG so hey why not check FotMob… yup, it’s saying xG (Nashville 1.90 and Austin 2.15)
Another match where Austin has less possession and is able to get goals on the counter attack; not quite ideal Wolff-ball but the end result is what matters.
Man of the Match:
Brad Stuver… and it really should not even be close. One of Wolff’s most frequent used phrases is “goals change games.” Well in this match, I’d argue “saves change games.” If Mukhtar gets that PK in the second minute, it’s a different game state as Austin would have to chase for the equalizer for most of the match. Instead, Stuver comes up huge to stop the former MVP. And at least two other times, he single-handedly (pun intended) keeps Nashville from tying up the scoreline. Props to you, Stuuuuu.
The bigger picture:
Austin gets 3 much needed points (on the road). With other results (like Minnesota losing), the club now sits at 34 points and 9th place in the Western conference; which would put it into the play-in game as the road team. Next up for Austin is Sebastian Berhalter and the 6th-place Vancouver Whitecaps at Q2 Stadium. Can the team continue this momentum at home ? Cannot wait to find out next Saturday.