Sebastian Driussi crosses it to Washington Corozo, who gives a bicycle kick assist to the scorer. There is a time and a place for this. You could see the look on Josh Wolff's face as the question was asked. Austin FC was just days away from the season opener against FC Cincinnati and a local reporter noted that the oddsmakers in Las Vegas had the Texan capital club pegged at 75-1 to win MLS Cup Wolff said that there was an opportunity for the betting fans to make money. The odds are against us. Wolff's bet is looking good. Austin is second in the West with 41 points, has already surpassed last year's win total (12 to nine), and is tied for the best road record in the league with seven wins. Everyone in MLS has been surprised by what the Verde have done this year, and Wolff wants to keep it that way. - MLS on ESPN+: Stream LIVE games, replays (U.S.)
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Wolff said that there were a lot of good things in the first year. You have to think about it and build off it. From a personnel point of view, I think we did a good job.
Sebastian Driussi signed for Supporters' Shield last summer. The Designated Player who walked into the locker room was a player who had excelled at Zenit St.Petersburg. Quality and swagger came from Driussi.
Wolff thinks there is some credibility there. Players are looking at me, I have been a player in this league. When he first arrives, they are watching every second. You could see that this was a different type ofDP. It was more than just the quality, it was the professionalism, responsibility and willingness to work.
Austin FC lost eight of nine games in August and September of last year after Driussi's debut, but four wins from the last nine games gave hope that things could be better in the future.
Wolff said that you can't get used to losing. It was difficult, but it helped shape how we came into this season, tactically some of the adjustments, personnel, character and quality that we needed to add.
The General Manager's additions have made a positive impact. He had just 16 goals in two years with Montreal and Houston, yet he has seven with Austin, with five of those being match-winners.
An opposing GM said thatUrruti was a perfect fit for Austin. He doesn't need to be an elite chance creator. He needs to come in and do a lot of hard work to finish some chances.
Center-back Ruben Gabrielsen, who has started 20 of the team's 22 games in 2022, is one of the new arrivals.
The rival GM said that they have the support of ownership to use all the different buckets of money to build a roster. They've built a balanced roster.
There were many obstacles to overcome. Tomas Pochettino was sent to River Plate for the season because of his poor performance. Cecilio was suspended by MLS on April 8th for playing just four games this season. The player and the club mutually agreed to part ways earlier this week after the player was reinstated by the league.
The Verde are now one of the toughest teams to beat. Driussi leads the league in goals with 13, and Austin leads MLS in both goals scored and assists. The Oaks have a lot of points from losing positions.
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Wolff thinks we have ways to hurt teams. We can do it with quick attacks. If you want to sit low, we have a good understanding of how to handle that.
It is so strong inside the locker room. The players are focused on each other. When we're down, the results come from a calm and resilience that is clear.
Player improvement is one of the most important elements of Austin FC's success. Wolff has been hailed in MLS circles as a strong developer of talent, and his work with players, such as center-back Julio Cascante and second-yearMidfielder, has been crucial. The fan favorite for pestering opponents in the middle of the field has become more proficient using his feet and progressing attacks.
Wolff thinks that the winning becomes a result of how well he teaches. It's a process, it's the way that we want to play, and the environment that we want to build.
Wolff is likely to be on a short list of candidates for the Coach of the Year if Austin continues its winning ways.
The second-year coach has guided Austin FC to the upper tier of the Western Conference this season thanks to an award winning player in Driussi, squad improvement, and a team spirit that has Texas.
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