You only get one first impression, and Austin FC will want theirs back after their Lamar Hunt US Open Cup introduction was one to forget.
The Verde and Black failed to advance out of the Third Round in the oldest knockout tournament in American sports after falling victim to an extra-time Cupset against USL Championship side San Antonio FC, 2-1, at Toyota Field on Wednesday night.
Austin dominated nearly every statical category, controlling 65.7% possession and outshooting their fellow Texan opponent 28-20, making the result an even more bitter feeling for the MLS side.
"We're frustrated," midfielder Diego Fagundez said. "We had opportunities. I know I, myself, had a couple that we could finish and walk away with a win. But that's how Open Cup is. You go away from home and you play, and it's a tough game. Especially because San Antonio, they were going to come at us with everything."
Austin manager Josh Wolff featured a majority of his regulars, including MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi contender Sebastian Driussi and Fagundez, the league's assists co-leader.
Wolff, who won this tournament as a player back in 2004 playing for then-Kansas City Wizards, even inserted regulars Ruben Gabrielsen, Dani Pereira and Maxi Urruti for the final third of the match. But he also had to replace starting center backs Kipper Keller and Julio Cascante in the second half while maintaining just a one-goal lead.
There were no obvious injuries at the time, but afterward Wolff said Keller was dealing with cramps and Cascante "had something with the inside of his knee."
Zan Kolmanic and Jon Gallagher took over duties in the backline later into extra time in front of second-string goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell.
"We had to rearrange the backline a little bit," Wolff said. "I thought Z came in and did OK. It's tough dealing with three big guys, and Z and Jonny kind of switched off there to help fight that off."
Perhaps that defensive rotation late hurt Austin, who conceded an 82nd-minute equalizer and a 96th-minute extra-time goal.
Wolff entered the fixture promising not to take Austin's first USOC experience lightly. He departed it trying not to make too much of a rare negative result amid a promising start to the club's second season.
"We had a good enough team here to win this game," Wolff said. "We left some opportunities out there that we should just take. That's the nature of this business."
Austin will be back in action Saturday as their prepare to host Vancouver Whitecaps FC (8:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+, DAZN in Canada), looking to earn their third consecutive win in league play. The Verde currently sit second in the Western Conference with a 4W-1L-2D record.
