Austin FC 2022 MLS season preview: Tactics, predicted XI, predictions

After laying the foundations in their expansion year, Austin FC enter 2022 looking to make their mark on the MLS Cup Playoffs.

2021 wasn't a great year for the Texan teams, who occupied the bottom three spots in the Western Conference, and Austin found themselves wedged between FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo.

But some smart additions this off-season and more time together as a squad have the potential to make all the difference for Josh Wolff's side this time around.

So, here's everything you need to know about Austin FC ahead of the new MLS season, including tactics, key players, and predictions.

How did Austin FC perform in 2021?

As mentioned, Austin FC finished 11th in the West last season, wedged between their two Texas rivals. But while that may seem like a humble placing, it wasn't all bad.

Though not consistent, the Verde and Black were very easy on the eye at times and showed a clear commitment to playing entertaining and attacking soccer. Wolff just needs to grease the wheels a little more to get things moving along more smoothly.

Toward the end of the season, Austin pulled off some notable home wins over the likes of Sporting Kansas City, Real Salt Lake, and the LA Galaxy. Their form at the stunning Q2 stadium will once again prove a key factor this season.

Austin FC transfer activity

Transfers in

• Zan Kolmanic (from NK Maribor, Undisc.)
• Jhojan Valencia (from Deportivo Cali, $1.7m)
• Maximiliano Urruti (from Houston Dynamo, free transfer)
• Ethan Finlay (from Minnesota United, free transfer)
• Felipe Martins (from DC United, free transfer)
• Damian Las (from Fulham, $150k)
• Ruben Gabrielsen (from Toulouse, free transfer)
• Kipp Keller (SuperDraft)
• Charlie Asensio (SuperDraft)

Transfers out

• Ben Sweat (to Sporting KC, free transfer)
• Ulises Segura (to Saprissa, free transfer)
• Kekuta Manneh (to San Antonio FC, free transfer)
• Aedan Stanley (to Miami FC, free transfer)
• McKinze Gaines (to Charlotte FC, Expansion Draft)
• Brady Scott (to Columbus Crew, Re-Entry Draft)
• Tomas Pochettino (to River Plate, loan)
• Matt Besler (retired)
• Aaron Schoenfeld (retired)

Josh Wolff: Tactics and style of play

For the most part, Austin lined up in 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formations last year. Right from the start, Wolff promised attacking soccer and it quickly became clear that he was deploying a 'positional' style of play.

Given the complications of positional play, with players needing a close understanding of where they are on the pitch and each other's movements, this was quite a risk in Austin's first-ever season. And indeed, it went horribly wrong on multiple occasions.

But Wolff is likely to stick at it and hope another offseason and some extra added quality can help gel things together this season. So, expect a similar starting formation, but with even more fluidity and emphasis on working the ball into dangerous areas quickly.

Austin FC predicted XI (4-3-3): Stuver; Lima, Romana, Cascante, Kolmanic; Ring, Valencia, Druissi; Dominguez, Urruti, Redes.

Who are Austin FC's key players?

Alex Ring

With Tomas Pochettino's loan departure, Alex Ring was upgraded to Designated Player status. A tough call considering that spot could have been used in other areas, but Ring's role in Wolff's system is crucial. It'll be up to him to create numerical advantages right through the middle as Austin progress the ball, while he'll also be charged with providing defensive cover when the full-backs push forward. Ring is generally very good at both those things and his form could be the defining factor for the Verde and Black this year.

Cecilio Dominguez

There was a lot of excitement around Austin's capture of Cecilio Dominguez and while his first season wasn't exactly a disaster, seven goals and three assists in 34 appearances isn't enough. Wolff needs a lot more out of one of his biggest attacking pieces. At his best, Dominguez has the ability to beat any defender in one-on-one situations and is never afraid to shoot. His best form only came in patches in 2021 and he needs to be a difference-maker week after week.

Sebastian Druissi

Of course, Dominguez will be helped by getting a full season playing alongside Sebastian Druissi. The Argentine arrived from Zenit mid-season and was transformative, hitting five goals and three assists in 17 matches. Druissi will likely operate just below the forward line, but it'll be his job to gel all the attacking moves together while also making late runs into the box to score himself. A combined haul of 15 goals and assists is not out of the question this season for Druissi, if the cogs around him are spinning nicely.

Austin FC 2022 season prediction

Austin FC have made some shrewd acquisitions. The question now is how much do their improvements match those made by their Western Conference rivals? In Texas alone, FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo have been hard at work overhauling their rosters this offseason and will be expecting a push at MLS Cup Playoff qualification. Nashville SC moving over to the West doesn't help either.

It'd be a huge ask for Austin to jump above the Playoff line this season and their final placing might not be too different from 2021. But the points gap to seventh should be smaller and fans will enjoy a far more competitive, flowing team. That Western Conference is just so competitive!

Prediction: 13th in the Western Conference