Welcome back our two-part weekly MLS column here at Backheeled, where we break down all 29 teams in the league.
I’ve got the West. Ben Wright’s got the East. Josh Wolff's got himself a new job to find. Let’s chat about the latest for each Western Conference squad, shall we?
To read up on the East, check out Ben’s rundown.
Ben Wright
Austin FC
Result: 2-1 loss at LA Galaxy
Practically speaking, Austin FC have been out of postseason contention for weeks. Officially speaking, their loss to the LA Galaxy finally put a little “e” next to their name in the standings. It also was the final nail in the coffin for Josh Wolff.
Austin FC has parted ways with Head Coach Josh Wolff.
— Austin FC (@AustinFC) October 6, 2024
A search for a new head coach will begin immediately.
Wolff has been on borrowed time. Austin had one good year under him out of a possible four and haven’t had a tactical identity this season, which has created confusion and positional redundancies for players.
Against LA, Wolff started a center back at right back, a stay-at-home option at left back, two deep-lying midfielders, and a fullback on the left wing. Austin still couldn’t keep the LA Galaxy from ending what’s been a total failure of a 2024 campaign. That stay-at-home left back, Guilherme Biro, shouldn’t see the field for a while after this tackle deep in stoppage time.
Austin FC's Guilherme Biro shouldn't see the field for a long, long time after this horrific tackle on Riqui Puig.
— Joseph Lowery (@joeclowery) October 6, 2024
Gross. Absolutely gross. pic.twitter.com/AkXcdiYlQB
As Austin look forward to next season, it’s troubling that their current failings have stemmed from a host of different places.
Coming into the year, their roster appeared to be built around Sebastian Driussi being something he’s not: an elite playmaker. The Argentine has never landed above the 53rd percentile in expected assisted goals among attacking midfielders and wingers in MLS over his four seasons stateside, according to FBref’s data. Austin entered the year with precious few final third difference-makers and a slew of wide players reliant on service. Needless to say, they’ve struggled. In the summer, sporting director Rodolfo Borrell made a trio of signings early in the window.
It’s early days, but not one of those signings has proven to be a consistent impact player at this point.
It’s a big ol’ mess. Now, because MLS is MLS, no team is ever more than a couple of transfer windows away from cleaning up a big ol’ mess. Still, there’s a roster to fix and a coach to be hired. It’s time to get to work.
Colorado Rapids
Result: 1-0 loss vs. Seattle Sounders
The Rapids are on a three-game losing streak. The Rapids have also gone without a penalty kick attempt in three-straight games. I don’t think that’s a coincidence — no team in MLS has drawn or converted more penalty kicks in 2024 than Colorado, who have drawn 14 and converted nine.
Colorado’s attack is more about brute force than finesse, with Djordje Mihailovic serving as their only real lock-picker.
When teams sit deep against Chris Armas’ squad, as the Seattle Sounders did on Saturday night after taking a 1-0 lead just a few minutes into the second half, the Rapids excel at establishing an advanced field position but struggle to turn that field position into actual open-play chances. They’re in the top six in MLS in passes into the final third and passes into the box per 90 minutes, according to FBref, but sit just 15th in non-penalty xG per 90.
