Austin FC is at least keeping the end of its MLS season interesting.
For the second straight week, the Verde and Black pulled out points in the match’s final moments, this time using Guilherme Biro’s goal to earn a 1-1 draw Saturday with the San Jose Earthquakes at Q2 Stadium.
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And while Austin FC is still five points out of the ninth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference with two months and 11 contests to go, it turned in another solid performance that indicates it should be in every match the rest of the way.
Here are four key takeaways from the contest as Austin FC (6-10-7, 25 points, 14th West) has a quick turnaround with a Wednesday home match against Colorado.
Austin FC man of the match: Guilherme Biro
Credit has to be given to Brandon Vazquez and Christian Ramírez for their short passes in the box that eventually got the ball to him, but Biro was the one who put the ball past Earthquakes goalie Angus Gunn from a tough angle. Gunn had been brilliant most of the night, but in the sixth minute of stoppage time and one of the final kicks of the game, Biro came through in the clutch.
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What Austin FC did well…
The Verde and Black were the better side for the match’s final 65 minutes. They outshot the Earthquakes 16-10, had more possession, nearly double the expected goals stat – according to the Apple TV broadcast – and were unlucky that Vazquez and Facundo Torres narrowly missed goals. It would have been a bit unfair if Austin FC hadn’t come away with a point from the contest.
“I think the positive is the second-half performance,” Austin FC interim coach Davy Arnaud said. “That was more of us. … We find a way to get back in the game. … Our guys have personality, character, grit – all the things that are the foundation of a good group – and they’ve showed it in abundance.”
What Austin FC didn’t do well…
San Jose outplayed the Verde and Black for the first 25 minutes, which included Beau Leroux’s goal. Arnaud seemed annoyed postgame with the way his team started the match and indicated it veered from the pregame strategy.
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“Dropping points is based on the first-half performance,” he said. “We have to not get bored of doing the things that keep us in games. We didn’t do that in the first half.”
Bottom line
Austin FC deserves credit for pulling out a draw at the last second – especially without forward Myrto Uzuni, who is still dealing with an injury he suffered Aug. 26 in the Leagues Cup quarterfinal against Toluca – but dropping points at home is never ideal. And it’s put the Verde and Black in a situation where Wednesday’s game borders on a must-win.
Colorado is one of the seven teams Austin FC is within six points of in the standings and fighting for one of the final three playoff spots. It’s also the last match before a brutal six-match stretch where the Verde and Black play five contests against teams in the top four of their respective conferences. The contest could be a massive six-point swing for either club.
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“I’d be lying if I said it was just another game,” Arnaud said.
A loss won’t end Austin FC’s postseason chances, but it will come close. Even a draw wouldn’t do the Verde and Black much good, as that would force them to need a win on the road at Vancouver, Dallas or LAFC and hope for constant help from other teams around the league.
“For us, it’s knowing we have to accumulate wins,” Austin FC goalie Brad Stuver said.
AUSTIN, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 5: Mikkel Desler #3 of Austin FC and Jamar Ricketts #2 of San Jose Earthquakes fight for the ball in the second half of a match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Austin FC at Q2 Stadium on September 5, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Daniel Jefferson/Getty Images) (Daniel Jefferson/Getty Images)
This article originally published at 4 takeaways as Austin FC salvages MLS draw with San Jose Earthquakes on late goal.