Austin FC played NYCFC in an MLS preseason match Sunday. Here are four takeaways.
The most interesting aspect of Austin FC’s MLS preseason match against New York City FC on Sunday at Q2 Stadium may have come in the postgame news conference.
Verde & Black coach Nico Estévez raised a few eyebrows when talking about Facundo Torres, noting that the club’s new designated player could be used in more of a central attacking midfielder role instead of just as a right-side winger.
“He’s so good he can play anywhere,” Estévez said. “The best position for him is where he has the ball the most.”
If Torres plays as an attacking midfielder, or a No. 10 position in soccer terms, it opens up the possibility that Estévez uses a lineup featuring offseason acquisitions Joseph Rosales and Jayden Nelson on the wings and Myrto Uzuni at striker. Along with Owen Wolff and Dani Pereira in the midfield, that’s an attack on paper that would arguably be the best the club has had in its short history.
“When we get everyone back, it’s going to be very competitive for playing time,” Estévez noted.
Here are three more key takeaways from Austin FC’s 2-0 loss as it is now less than three weeks away from the season opener Feb. 21 against Minnesota.
Austin FC still tinkering with positions and personnel in its attack
There wasn’t much to be learned from the Verde & Black’s offense Sunday.
Torres, Uzuni and Wolff didn’t play, several Austin FC II players received notable minutes and Rosales spent most of his time at left back due to injuries elsewhere on the squad.
“(Rosales) has been training as a winger the whole season,” Estévez noted. “But he can play fullback, winger and in the midfield. And that makes him very valuable.”
Nelson looked solid in a 75-minute shift on the right side, while Jorge Alastuey, an Austin FC II player who played well at forward, could challenge to make the senior team roster.
“It’s going to be a difficult decision because he (would take up an international roster spot),” Estévez said. “He needs to keep playing at the same level he is. He does things well, but he needs to improve. … He’s committed and plays hard in training.”
Nicolas Dubersarsky looks drastically improved
Though he only played the first half, defensive midfielder Nicolas Dubersarsky seemed like a completely different player than the one who ended 2025.
He played aggressively and with confidence, and the 20-year-old may have had the most productive offseason of anyone on the roster.
“We asked him before he left at the end of last year to arrive in good form so he could grow through the preseason,” Estévez said. “He did a lot of good work. … I’m very, very happy with his progression. He has a good understanding of what we want to do and is pushing. … We think he can have a big impact (this season).”
His improvement in form is something Dubersarsky’s teammates have also noticed.
“He’s been great this training camp,” goalie Brad Stuver said. “(Dubersarsky) has a good read on the game. For him, it’s just learning the timing and the other guys around him. He had a couple of great defensive tackles today.”
Chemistry key for the Austin FC defense
Defensively, Oleksandr Svatok and Mikkel Desler didn’t play, and Stuver noted the backline is still working on chemistry.
“That’s a reason we were so strong last year (on defense), and it’s a process of building that with the new players,” Stuver said.
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Damian Las, who led Austin FC II to the 2023 MLS Next Pro Cup and spent the last two seasons on loan at Louisville, played the final 30 minutes.
“We’ve stayed in touch the last two years,” Stuver said. “… I hope to continue to be a sounding board for him when he has questions.”
Category: General Sports
