U.S. Open Cup offers Austin FC chance to build some needed momentum

In some ways, Austin FC’s U.S. Open Cup match Wednesday at Q2 Stadium against New Mexico United may represent a chance at a fresh start.

It’s a competition away from the regular MLS schedule that offers another opportunity to capture a trophy and qualify for next year’s CONCACAF Champions League.

Different clubs and coaches have varying philosophies toward the early rounds of the competition in terms of whether to start players deep on the roster or try to take a quick win, but from Tuesday’s press conference, it appears El Tree is all-in on making a run.

“You go into the game to win,” said Austin FC coach Josh Wolff, who as a player won the U.S. Open cup three times. “The ambition is to win the cup. (MLS founder) Lamar Hunt is the name on the trophy, and that’s something that is meaningful.”

More: Late goal salvages a point-scoring tie for Austin FC against Portland

In the midst of a stretch where it could play nine times in 29 days and with a roster that seems to get decimated more by the day, it would be easy — and in many ways advisable — for Austin FC to simply not put its best foot forward. However, the opportunity to build momentum when the club hasn’t won in seven matches is a good counterargument, and Wolff and goalie Brad Stuver both mentioned the players prefer to take the competition as seriously as possible.

“Our guys are competitors who want to play and win trophies,” said Stuver, who has played every minute of the club’s 12 games across two competitions this season. “But you have to be mindful how much you can push guys physically and mentally. … I told the coaching staff at the beginning of the year that I wanted to play every game I was physically and mentally able to play. It’s our job to make it difficult for them to make those decisions on game day.”

With Wolff confirming Tuesday that midfielder Sebastián Driussi will be out for at least another two weeks with a groin injury and that midfielder Owen Wolff could miss a month due to international duty with the under-20 U.S. youth national team at the World Cup in Argentina, Wednesday’s lineup will be particularly interesting.

Wing Diego Fagúndez is still out with his own groin injury, so it’s a strong possibility that players such as midfielders Jhojan Valencia and little-used Sofiane Djeffal receive starts.

And while the club said all the right things Tuesday, don’t be surprised to see defender Aleksandar Radovanović make his first appearance and defenders Kipp Keller and Amro Tarek make their returns, especially if Josh Wolff sticks with the five-man backline he used Saturday in a 2-2 draw at Portland.

“I think the five-man backline worked well,” he said. “It gave us good spacing and we were never really exposed defensively. We can utilize that structure with a variety of players, and we have many games going forward and all the guys are going to play.”

While this will be Austin FC’s first game in the competition this season — due to its success last year, El Tree entered the competition a round later than most MLS teams — New Mexico United has reached the fourth round with two wins.

It beat UDA Soccer 6-0 in the second round and Phoenix Rising FC 2-1 in the third round to make it to this stage and plays in the USL Championship, which is the second division of U.S. soccer, or AAA if you’re looking for a baseball equivalent.

USL teams traditionally treat U.S. Open Cup matches as their biggest games of the year, evidenced by Austin FC losing to San Antonio last year. Josh Wolff expects a big challenge.

“They’ll be aggressive, press and make it difficult,” he said. “They have a couple of players who have played in the MLS, and they’ll make it challenging. These games are not easy. They’re a good team who will pose some problems.”

Whether Wednesday offers Austin FC a reset remains to be seen, but the club seems to be embracing the opportunity to chase after a cup.

“All of our guys’ mindset and mentality is great,” Josh Wolff said. “Players like this run of games as it’s less training, but it’s certainly more enjoyable when you get results. … You can hoist a trophy with a good run of five games, but it starts with one game. These games can always be tricky, and if we win the games come in quick succession.”

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Struggling Austin FC looks for a spark from U.S. Open Cup match