Christian Ramirez went to Vancouver and won the week
Austin FC beat the Western Conference leaders 2–1 on the road on September 14, and Christian Ramirez scored both goals (2). That is the result of the season so far. A team sitting 11th in the West walked into the best side in the conference and left with three points, and it moved Austin within a point of San Diego FC (2). The unbeaten league run now stands at six matches. This was not a smash-and-grab either, not with Ramirez finishing twice. He is the reason this team is still in the conversation, and there is no point pretending otherwise.
Then Dallas, and a 0–0 that says as much as the win
Austin went to FC Dallas on September 20 and drew 0–0. Dallas arrived on three straight wins (3), and Eric Quill's side is chasing home-field advantage for the playoffs (4). "We want home-field advantage in the playoffs because that gives you a statistical advantage to move on," Quill said. "I want to chase first. That's how I'm wired" (4). A point at the fourth-placed team in the West is real value, and it is the fourth draw in five league games. The problem is obvious: one goal in the two home draws against San Jose and Colorado, then clean sheets carried the away days. Austin does not lose right now. Austin also does not put games away.
The FC Dallas match was briefly interrupted by a pitch invader, which drew the usual round of jokes (1). The less funny business is the table. Position: 11th in the West, 30 points from 26 games, goal difference of minus 12. The form line reads D W D D W. That is a team grinding, not a team flying, and grinding only gets you so far when you concede as often as Austin does.
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Davy Arnaud already told you what the week was about
"There is always a little extra in these weeks, especially when you are going to play Dallas," the coach said (2). He was right, and his team backed it up with the Vancouver result. But the margin between a genuine playoff push and another mid-table finish is now about one thing: turning those home draws into wins. Colorado and San Jose at home are four dropped points, not four earned. Ramirez can carry an away day. He cannot carry every home Saturday.
What to watch
San Diego FC come to Austin on Sunday, September 27. Two reasons it matters. San Diego are the team Austin is chasing, a point ahead after the Vancouver win (2), so this is a six-pointer in everything but name. And the fans are watching the fitness room: Uzuni appears to be back, which is the attacking depth this squad has been missing, while Nicolás Dubersarsky's status after his left knee injury remains unclear (Reddit).
One more thing from the supporters. Austin are 2-3-9 all time against Dallas, and 0-1-6 in Frisco (Reddit). A road 0–0 there is not the letdown it might look like.
If Austin beat San Diego, the playoff picture changes. If they draw again, nothing does.
