During the 2025 season, Austin FC head coach Nico Estévez always talked about the importance of learning from mistakes.
“Throughout the season, all those experiences are important, and it’s how you learn,” Estévez said on Sept. 21 after beating the Seattle Sounders. “Humans learn based on experiences, and then sometimes, those experiences hurt you, but in order (so) that it don’t happen again, you push yourself and you put (yourself) in a better position.”
And even after Austin FC’s season ended on Sunday, his mindset had not changed.
The Verde and Black failed to overcome a two-goal, first-half deficit against LAFC, succumbing to the Black and Gold 1-4 and earning their second loss in the best-of-three series.
“We can learn from this game. We need to know who we are and be humble,” Estévez said. “Even though (LAFC) are a big club that has won things, they’re humble enough to come here and sit and wait for a counterattack and wait for the mistakes of the opponent.”
Los Angeles capitalized on Austin’s poor buildup, regaining possession and launching counterattacks to star forwards Son Heung-Min and Denis Bouanga, scoring in the 21st and 25th minutes.
The two quick goals quickly eradicated the hope in the stadium once filled with pregame pyrotechnics and a tifo flag that ran across the general admission supporter section, reading “Del Austin Para Siempre,” or “Austin Forever” in English.
LAFC was able to dominate the rest of the game, with Bouanga and forward Jeremy Ebobisse scoring at the end of each half and Austin FC only converting one of two given penalties.
The early exit marks the end of the club’s second playoff appearance in its five-year history.
Many will argue that the Verde and Black’s 2022 season was its most successful, making the MLS Cup Western Conference finals, while others will disagree and say that the 2025 season was better. This past year, Austin FC not only made it to the playoffs but also hosted the U.S. Open Cup Final for the first time, ultimately falling short 1-2 against Nashville.
Austin found success, even with a season-ending injury to forward Brandon Vázquez in July and forwards Diego Rubio and Osman Bukari getting injured late in the season. Through the long season and the injuries, the team has built an identity they can build upon.
“You always want to build an identity,” Estévez said. “Now, it’s about how we improve in certain areas that can help us to win difficult, tough games and beat good teams, away and home. We have a foundation on how we want to play and how we want to build.”
Now, as the gates close at Q2 Stadium for the final time in 2025, Estévez is ready to lead his team past the shortcomings, hopefully learning the necessary lessons to improve the Verde and Black.
“I take the full responsibility of this series,” Estévez said. “And for the players, I feel proud about the effort that they put for us since day one. … We had a really crowded season on the schedule. We were battling for two competitions, but we fell short. It’s now how we can push ourselves having these experiences and how important are some points that we didn’t get at the beginning or at the end to make a better final part of the season.”
