Joyous and heartbreaking at the same time, the semifinals are special in any sport.
The winning team advances to the final. A chance at glory. A game to cement themselves in the history books.
The losing team is lost in those same history books, so close to the game that could give them a shot at fame, and yet they seem so far.
It’s probable these are the thoughts circling at St. David’s Performance Center as Austin FC prepares for its first U.S. Open Cup semifinal appearance against Minnesota United on Wednesday — and a chance at its first knockout tournament final in club history.
“Everyone around the city is (excited),” Austin FC head coach Nico Estévez said. “There’s only four teams left in that competition. Four teams, three have played a final, either in (the U.S.) Open Cup or Leagues Cup. We are the only one to not play a final.”
Minnesota previously won its 2019 Open Cup semifinal, before falling short to Atlanta United 1-2 in the final. A win would mean a chance at redemption.
For Austin FC though, this semifinal means heading to Minnesota to face a team it’s yet to beat this year, losing 0-3 at home on May 3 and drawing 1-1 for the away rematch on May 24.
In both games, Austin conceded one goal within the opening 25 minutes of the match, forcing the team to play from behind. Only completing one comeback win this season — an away 2-1 win against Kansas City on Sept. 7 — Austin cannot afford to concede early in the game.
If that early goal is surrendered, the Verde and Black cannot repeat Saturday’s performance against Dallas, where they were never able to fight back and get an equalizer.
“What we did in Dallas could have been an opportunity for a dress rehearsal to be ready for this game and we didn’t do that,” defender Brendan Hines-Ike said. “Now, we have to be that much better with our details going into Wednesday.”
Defender Mikkel Desler will most likely return to the lineup after not appearing in the Dallas game on Saturday. Desler will play a key role in the defense, likely along with Hines-Ike and goalkeeper Brad Stuver, and trying to stop a Minnesota attack that has eight goals in its last four games.
“Austin are always very organized and defend well, so we’ll have to be clinical with our set-pieces, and make the most of our chances when we’re on the ball and can break,” Minnesota United captain Michael Boxall said according to U.S. Soccer.
On the other side of the pitch, midfielder Owen Wolff and forward Osman Bukari will have their hands full trying to create chances to beat all-star goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, who has conceded only three goals in the last four.
Wolff was previously on a hot streak before being halted by the Dallas defense, snapping his four-game streak of scoring or assisting. Bukari’s one-on-one abilities and crosses from out wide provide a different threat than Wolff as he aims to connect with central players to break down the Minnesota defense.
The winners of this semifinal matchup will host the final against the winner between the Philadelphia Union or Nashville SC on Oct. 1.
The U.S. Open Cup semifinal between Austin FC and Minnesota United will kickoff at 7:30 p.m.
