With 'strong improvements,' Austin FC's Julio Cascante now the rock for team's defensive line

A big part of Austin FC’s success this season — which has landed it in second place in the Western Conference entering a two-game road swing starting with Saturday night’s match at Real Salt Lake — is the performance of its defense.

Somewhat of a question mark entering last offseason, the unit has been solidified by the additions of Ruben Gabrielsen and Jon Gallagher, but also through the improvement of players such as Julio Cascante.

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Now a fixture in the starting lineup at center back, Cascante is one of the reasons El Tree is tied for fifth in the MLS in goals allowed at nine. He said a combination of experience and putting in the time training and studying has led to an uptick in his game.

“Last year was the first season, and you’re introduced to a lot of new things,”  he said. “Obviously, this year is different with things added to from what we did last year, but everything is about work. Personally, I feel really good about how the defense has performed. Our new additions have a lot of experience, and you can learn a lot from them. They also help you off the field to improve as well.”

The defense has had multiple variations this year with Gabrielsen not joining the team until mid-February and Gallagher and Zan Kolmanic battling for time at left back. Rookie Kipp Killer played admirably early in the season while Gabrielsen got up to speed, and veteran Nick Lima has been his usual rock-solid self at right back, but Cascante is the lone El Tree player on the back line to start all 10 matches.

Austin FC coach Josh Wolff said Cascante has made significant leaps in both the physical and mental parts of his game.

“Julio’s done a good job this season, and when we progress attacks he’s been really good with the ball,” Wolff said. “He has a really good understanding of what we want to do, is a quiet leader and — not that he was poor last year — has made some strong improvements in all areas.”

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As El Tree embarks on a stretch of three games in eight days against high-quality opposition, Cascante and the defense are among several reasons fans can be optimistic that Austin FC can stay near the top of the Western Conference.

“We’re mentally prepared to go get some points,” Cascante said. “It’s going to be a tough month, and we play the next two teams who are really good on the road, but we’re in a good position.”

Toughest stretch of the season for Austin FC?

Coming off a bit of a subpar performance — and with how hot El Tree started the season, it was due an off night — in a 1-0 home loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday, it will be interesting to see how the team responds.

After Saturday night’s game, the team will have a midweek game against Los Angeles FC, which leads the Western Conference and has the most points in the MLS with 23.

“We need to have the right mentality going on the road, trying to get points and understanding what these games are going to look like,” said Wolff, who noted that the team will stay out west after tonight and not travel back to Austin. “We’ve won our last two road games, and we’ll prepare for each game in a different way.”

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With two wins and a tie, El Tree has been very good on the road this season. Its only loss was a 1-0 defeat by Portland in mid-March.

Real Salt Lake is traditionally very good at home with its altitude advantage, and LAFC is tied with Austin FC atop the MLS in goal differential, and with a good Orlando City team looming May 22 back at Q2 Stadium, this might be El Tree’s toughest stretch of the season.

“We have three days in between each game,” Wolff said. “We’ll assess how we get through each game. We’re pretty healthy right now. (Goalkeeper Brad Stuver) is still questionable, but (defender) Jhohan Rhomaña is back and ready and has been for a while, so that helps.”

Josh Wolff signs three-year extension

Austin FC announced a three-year extension for Wolff on Friday that will keep him with the club through the 2025 season.

Wolff’s original contract ended after this season, but with El Tree off to a 6-2-2 start and sitting in second place in the Western Conference with 20 points, Austin FC ownership decided to offer an extension.

“We’re very pleased to announce Josh’s contract extension today,” Austin FC majority owner Anthony Precourt said in a news release. “We are extremely fortunate to have such a highly respected and highly talented coach lead our coaching staff, and we’re both grateful and appreciative for all of the work he puts in to representing Austin in the best way possible.”

Wolff signed as El Tree’s first coach in November 2019 after assistant coaching stints with the U.S. men’s national team, the Columbus Crew and D.C. United.

He played professionally for 15 years from 1998 to 2012, spending 14 of those years with three different MLS clubs. He also made 52 appearances over nine years for the national team.

“I’m very grateful to Anthony, the Austin FC ownership group and (sporting director Claudio Reyna) for their continued faith and confidence,” Wolff said. “This is still a young, growing club, but seeing our vision for Austin FC come to life on and off the field has been one of the great honors of my career.”

Saturday's match

Austin FC at Real Salt Lake, 8:30 p.m., KNVA, 97.5