AUSTIN, TEXAS – FEBRUARY 21: Ilie Sanchez #6 of Austin FC kicks the ball during the first half against Minnesota United FC at Q2 Stadium on February 21, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Scott Wachter/Getty Images)
Scott Wachter/Getty Images
With the MLS season still in its infancy heading into its second matchday, Austin FC finds itself in the curious position of needing three points to possibly ward off a slow start.
While there are no must-wins in MLS prior to September — even more so this season, with it being exceptionally long and broken into two parts due to the World Cup — after allowing a 90th-minute tying goal in their season opener against Minnesota, the Verde & Black would do themselves a favor taking all the points Sunday against D.C. United at Q2 Stadium with what lies ahead.
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Austin FC (0-0-1, 1 point) vs. D.C. United (1-0-0, 3 points)
When: 1:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Q2 Stadium
TV/Radio: Apple TV, 97.5, 104.3 (Spanish)
Five of Austin FC’s next seven matches are on the road, including against Lionel Messi and Miami on April 4, while its home contests are against the two Los Angeles clubs, who never lack talent.
And though there will be no reason for panic if the Verde & Black falter Sunday, dropping points at home two weeks in a row to start a season is less than ideal.
Here’s what to know about the match as Austin FC is slowly getting its full roster back:
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Guilherme Biro returns
Both defender Guilherme Biro and midfielder Besard Sabovic will be available after missing the Minnesota match due to being suspended by Austin FC coach Nico Estévez for drawing red cards during a preseason match against Kansas City.
While Sabovic is a little-used sub, it was a gutsy move by Estévez to keep his starting left back out in Biro. (And it was arguably costly, as backup Zan Kolmanic was subpar on both of the Loons’ goals.)
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Biro never lacks in emotion, but he’ll be a welcome return for the club to the starting lineup.
Estévez noted Thursday in his weekly news conference that midfielder Owen Wolff and right back Mikkel Desler are “still recovering and working their way back” from injuries and are questionable.
At best, they’ll be on the bench, but if they’re not 100%, there’s no reason for the club to rush them back this early in the season.
Still, it’s a big loss for Austin FC not to have Wolff and Desler available.
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Wolff was the club’s best player in 2025 and is a much better option than 35-year-old Ilie Sánchez, while Desler, when healthy, is in the top half of right backs in the MLS. (Desler’s constant injury issues are starting to become a concern.)
Offseason signings flash talent
The first look at new midfielders Facundo Torres, Joseph Rosales and Jayden Nelson was a good one.
All three performed well in the season opener and give Estévez options in his attack.
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“Their qualities fit very well together,” Estévez said. “They’re comfortable in space, in between the lines and running behind the defense. They feel comfortable combining with each other, and you can see the chemistry right away in those situations. We have to keep (giving them more opportunities) to connect.”
Torres in particular has impressed his teammates. One of the club’s designated players who it paid a large transfer fee for in the winter, he has the potential to be a game-changer for an offense that was the worst in the Western Conference the last two seasons.
“He’s just another level of quality,” Gallagher said. “He’s a guy that is MLS proven, which is really important in a league that’s so dynamic and hard to adjust to. … He brings that extra level of … ball security and playmaking ability to kind of turn moments into something in the attack.”
A glance at D.C. United
After being the worst team in MLS in 2025, the club spent more than $11 million over the winter to bring in forwards Tai Baribo and Louis Munteanu.
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Baribo, who also plays for the Israeli national team, scored 16 goals for Philadelphia last year, while Munteanu, who suits up for Romania in international play, spent the last six seasons playing in the top divisions in Italy and Romania.
Baribo scored the lone goal in the team’s 1-0 win over Philadelphia last week, and the duo will need to be accounted for at all times by the Austin FC backline.
“(Baribo) is dynamic up top and you want to limit his touches as much as possible,” Gallagher said. “Every game in MLS is tough. That’s the beauty of this league and why it’s so unique compared to others.”
Early start
A 1: 30 p.m. kickoff used to be a rarity in MLS, but Sunday is the first of four early afternoon kickoffs Austin FC has before the first half of the league ends in late May.
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“I like the early games,” Gallagher said. “If you get three points, you can enjoy the rest of the day.”
Austin FC defeated LAFC and San Diego in its two daytime games last year, and with projected 85-degree weather, it may have a slight advantage playing against a team coming from the Northeast.
“The league probably didn’t expect it to be this hot,” Gallagher said with a chuckle. “So hopefully that helps.”
Another forward added
Austin FC signed MLS free agent forward Christian Ramirez on Friday to bolster its depth behind Myrto Uzuni.
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Ramirez, 34, spent last year with the Los Angeles Galaxy and scored four goals in 25 appearances. He was waived and had his contract bought out by the Galaxy on Feb. 21.
An eight-year MLS veteran who also played two years in Scotland for Aberdeen, Ramirez has spent time with Minnesota, LAFC and Columbus in addition to the Galaxy.
Austin FC predicted starting lineup
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Midfield: Joseph Rosales, Dani Pereira, Facundo Torres, Ilie Sánchez, Jayden Nelson
Defense: Guilherme Biro, Oleksandr Svatok, Brendan Hines-Ike, Jon Gallagher
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Austin FC vs. D.C. United prediction
Austin FC 2, D.C. United 1: Outside of Baribo, Munteanu, midfielder Gabriel Pirani and goalie Sean Johnson, D.C. United’s roster isn’t overly talented. This is a game the Verde & Black need to take take care of, especially at home, so expect them to do so.