AUSTIN, TEXAS – AUGUST 6: Jon Gallagher #17 of Austin FC celebrates after scoring a goal in the first half during the Leagues Cup Phase One match between Austin FC and Club Tijuana at Q2 Stadium on August 6, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Daniel Jefferson/Getty Images)
Daniel Jefferson/Getty Images
Leagues Cup may bring out the best in Austin FC.
At least at Q2 Stadium.
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Producing some of the quality play as it did two years earlier when it stunned Liga MX sides Pumas UNAM and Monterrey, the Verde and Black topped Club Tijuana 2-0 Thursday in the competition opener for both clubs.
In a season where little has gone right — Austin FC is 14th in the MLS Western Conference and was eliminated from the U.S. Open Cup in its first match — the Verde and Black had one of their best performances. They weren’t dominant, but they went toe to toe in the run of play for 70 minutes with a Liga MX club that is traditionally very respectable.
And when Tijuana went down a man after Iván Tona received a red card for physical contact with referee Reon Radix, Austin FC did what it should with the advantage and controlled the game for the final 20 minutes.
Joseph Rosales and Jon Gallagher scored first-half goals for Austin FC, which did need some heroics from goalie Brad Stuver for its halftime lead.
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Here are four key takeaways from the match as the Verde and Black, who host Puebla Sunday in their second game of the competition, gave themselves a chance to advance to the knockout stage.
Gallagher’s goal had significant personal meaning
Flashing a “J” sign with his fingers to the crowd, kissing his wrist, then pointing to the sky after scoring, Gallagher revealed postgame that it had been a tough few weeks for his family, inferring that he and his wife recently went through a miscarriage.
“That goal meant a lot more than just scoring,” said Gallagher, who is always willing to talk to the media win, lose or draw. “It was special for me.”
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Gallagher is now the only player to score in all six seasons for the club, and he was a reason Austin FC was sharp for most of the game. This was easily the Verde and Black’s best performance since restarting the season, as they looked more comfortable in interim coach Davy Arnaud’s preferred 5-2-3 alignment that features inverted wingbacks. (Inverted wingers have their dominant foot on the inside of the field, such as a right-footed player like Gallagher positioned on the left wing/side of the field).
“Once we kind of settled into our game and stuck to the plan that we had from the coaching staff, we had a lot of success,” Gallagher said. “I know there’s been a bit of pushback on the inverted wingers, and maybe it’s not as traditional, but it can work if you have the right profiles.”
Man of the match: Brad Stuver
Stuver robbed Tijuana forward Adonis Preciado twice in the first half.
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First, he stopped a point-blank range shot, then thwarted a one-on-one with a diving, fingertip save.
The game should have been tied at the break, and it’s not out of line to credit Stuver for the win.
Austin FC has mostly struggled since its glory year of 2022, but one should shudder to think where the club would be without Stuver’s quality play in goal.
Ervin Torres shines in first start
Ervin Torres didn’t play like an 18-year-old in his first start.
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Austin FC’s youngest player took on defenders, made smart passes and looked like he belonged.
“It’s pretty good,” Torres said of his confidence level. “Good things have been happening to me, so it’s pretty good. … It’s amazing (to play well), but it also comes from my teammates having my back. And I think that’s the most important thing.”
Advancing in Leagues Cup is possible for Austin FC
Leagues Cup is a tough competition to advance to the knockout stage in.
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Of 36 teams, only eight advance — four MLS and four Liga MX.
Austin FC still has a chance after the first phase of games, and it will be a favorite Sunday against Puebla, one of the weaker teams in Mexico.
The Verde and Black’s third game against Club América, one of the strongest Liga MX sides, will be a challenge. But Austin FC is still alive in the competition, which in this season is something notable.
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AUSTIN, TEXAS – AUGUST 6: Guilherme Biro #29 of Austin FC hugs Joban Gonzalez Cera #202 of Club Tijuana during the Leagues Cup Phase One match between Austin FC and Club Tijuana at Q2 Stadium on August 6, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
Omar Vega/Getty Images