Austin FC head coach Nico Estevez believes that his side is closer to finding their identity is coming after their good start of the 2025 ml season.
Estevez watched while Austin San Diego FC defeated 2-1 previous time-out, a result that after five games from their campaign to second place in the Western Conference.
Estevez had passed a difficult start with Rivals FC Dallas last year, was relieved of his duties, but has since stamped his style with Austin, but acknowledged that his team still found their feet and could still improve further.
“We are still getting better. We are a new group and we have new players, new staff, and we are building something that we think can create an identity with everyone,” said Estevez.
“Everyone knows what we are trying to do, and it is recognizable for them. We are not there yet. We have seen some things that are difficult to defeat, a team that has a good mentality if they don't have the ball and they work hard.
“I think we get some of those things that help us build our identity, but we have to be a bit more consistent in some of those areas. We also have to play more together with all players. For me that is the key.”
Break a sweat. pic.twitter.com/ln7korrvu
– Austin FC (@austinfc) 28 March 2025
St. Louis City also enjoyed a strong start to the campaign, sitting at just one point, but three places behind Austin on the way to their collision in Energizer Park this weekend.
And head coach Olof Mellberg believes that there are similarities between the two parties, and quotes that both teams can adapt in certain situations.
The success of St. Louis was built from behind. They are the fifth team in the history of MLS to allow only one goal in their first five games of a season. But their eight points (W2 D2 L1) are the least of those five teams.
“I think you could actually make comparisons with Austin,” said Mellberg. “We are very similar.
“They have had a good starting results wisely, and we are two teams that can play on the ball and also have no problem to defend and defend well.
“You have seen, in the last few games they have had a very low ball possession, but have won games. They are a good team on the ball, and that is similar to us, I would say.
“We were able to mix it and be unpredictable to ensure that we can do everything to win games.”
Players to watch
St. Louis City – Marcel Hartel
Although St. Louis has been brilliant at the back, they did not succeed in shining in the last third part and only scored four goals this season. Only the Houston Dynamo (three) has scored less and Hartel will be the key to their chances this weekend.
He ended their defeat against the Philadelphia Union after he had played more crosses (five) than all his teammates, but it didn't matter much as St. Louis ended the game with a drizzly expected goals (XG) in total only 0.16.
Austin FC – Brandon Vazquez
Vazquez has opened his Austin account since his relocation of Monterrey the previous time-out and impressed by the game, so that the game ended with team-high totals for shots (five), touches in the opposition box (six) and won errors (three).
However, the American has lost his only match against St. Louis, but he will hope that his trusting goal can help his side to victory.
Match forecast: st. Louis City Win
St. Louis is unbeaten in four all-time meetings with Austin (W3 D1) and scored 12 goals during the four games. They also won their two earlier home games against them with a combined score of 7-1.
But their 1-0 defeat against Philadelphia previous time-out was the first time in club history that they have lost one of their first five games of a season. Mellberg's side In that match, a record of W8 D6 L0 had in the first five games of seasons in club history.
In the meantime, Austin has recorded successive victories with victories over Los Angeles FC and San Diego. This is the ninth time since the beginning of the 2023 season that they have won two straight games in all competitions, but the last three-match winning run of the Verde was between June and July 2022 (four consecutive).
Opta wins probability
St. Louis City – 48.8%
Drawing – 25.7%
Austin FC – 25.5%
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