'You don't win a lot of games on the road': Savoring a Copa Tejas road win, pondering what's to come

Three big away points against Houston Dynamo FC vaulted Austin FC to 7th in the West. Can that last during the next difficult stretch of games?

The Austin FC social media account declared, “A VERDE tradition returns” on Saturday night, posting a celebratory locker-room photo of the players exulting in their 1-0 win over Houston Dynamo FC. It’s been a while since that road win tradition has happened — the most recent road win came last July 8, just as the 2023 season was about to fall into a 1-6-3 tailspin over the next 10 matches.

At Shell Energy Stadium, the late Emiliano Rigoni goal, the six saves from Brad Stuver, and a reassuring veteran center back pairing of Matt Hedges and Brendan Hines-Ike all contributed to an away win surprising when you consider Verde’s dismal away form in its first three matches away from Q2.

The numbers don’t exactly reverse the thesis that Verde struggles away from home. Even with a first away goal on the road in four matches, the visitors still ceded possession by nearly a 2-1 margin, were outshot 17-7 (though Verde did manage four shots on goal to raise its away total to six), and were out-xG’d 1.5 to 0.8.

But the number ultimately counting is the three away points coming with the win, putting Verde on a point-per-match pace on the road — which Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff says is just about right.