Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver: Players have to be more 'pragmatic' to improve results

Though Austin FC enters Saturday night’s match against the San Jose Earthquakes at Q2 Stadium in a slump, having lost 10 of the last 12 times it’s taken the field, there are reasons El Tree should be feeling better about itself after Wednesday’s 2-1 home loss to Los Angeles FC.

Austin was the better side for long stretches of the match, was a few bounces of the ball away from getting a victory and kept the possession time basically even.

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Sure, offensive struggles continued to plague the team as it got only one shot on goal, but the chances and creativity level were there. Austin FC coach Josh Wolff has challenged his players both publicly and privately the past six weeks over the need to produce more goals, and it's something the players say is appreciated.

“I think it shows that he’s a person who’s not really willing to just take a result … but wants us to play our best,” Austin FC forward Cecilio Domínguez said. “He’s a winner himself and wants to win constantly. That’s something you see on the sideline, and we see a lot (in practice). It helps you as a player as it doesn’t let you be in your comfort zone — and that’s good for everybody.”

Austin FC players have noted that both scoring goals and defending take a collective effort from all 11 players. El Tree has struggled at times building up play toward the opponent’s goal, and Wolff has been criticized for his tactics, but goalkeeper Brad Stuver said it’s up to the players on the field to execute.

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“Ultimately, we all understand the way Josh wants us to play, but in the moment it all comes down to our structure,” he said. “Players need to be in the position they’re supposed to be in. … There’s a lot of work done in how the team wants to build out, but it’s the players on the field that are making the decisions, and I think we have to be more pragmatic. We’re all still learning and have to grow every game. There can’t be a moment where we take 10 steps back — we have to keep going.”

In a season that can fairly be described as frustrating by the organization and fans alike, Stuver has been an overwhelming bright spot. Being a regular starter for the first time in his career at the age of 30 after being with multiple MLS clubs since entering the league in 2013, Stuver has made several highlight-reel saves that have kept Austin FC in matches and would be worthy of interest from clubs abroad.

Being one of the top players on a club in its first season, Stuver has slowly taken on a visible leadership role, something El Tree has sorely lacked for most of the year.

“We’ve talked about being more vocal in the locker room a lot from Josh all the way down,” Stuver said. “We have a lot of quiet leaders who lead by example and how they play. But we’ve talked about that how on the field we need to be more vocal and trying to find guys who at the right time can light a spark under the guys.

“Where I try and lead is to where I can bring a player close to me and tell them what they’ve done well and what we need from them. I’m going to be the guy who is going to ask them to give more, but I’ll be in their corner when they’ve done something right as well.”

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Sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference with 19 points and slowly falling farther away from the seventh and final playoff spot, Austin FC has to start getting results simply to avoid from going into a free fall.

Continuing to grind has been a common talking point with the players, and coming off a decent performance Wednesday and having leaders like Stuver beginning to emerge are things that should yield a bit of confidence when El Tree takes the pitch for the second time in a three-match homestand.

“I know the results haven’t been as good as anyone would like,” Stuver said. “But this is an expansion team, and Josh and his staff have come in and built a culture in the locker room and a style of play where everyone knows how we want to play. Every player in this locker room knows what’s expected of them.

“The coaching staff has been there with us every step of the way. I have trust in the staff, and I know the players want to give more to the fans.”

Austin FC vs. San Jose

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Q2 Stadium

TV: KNVA

Radio: 97.5