2026 AUSTIN FC PREVIEW: MIDFIELDERS

Writer’s note: A preview of Attackers will post out soon. You can find the Goalkeeper preview HERE, and the Defender preview HERE. My regular What You Need To Know match preview for Austin FC vs. Minnesota United will post on Saturday.

I’m going to point out at this point that I’m doing the position groupings based on Austin FC’s roster page, and in many cases here, there are midfielders who are used more like attackers (Owen Wolff, Robert Taylor), or, in the case of Joseph Rosales, defenders.

Austin FC Midfielder Owen Wolff: Photo courtesy of Dyv.media (Dante Valencia)

Owen Wolff
Austin’s first ever home grown fully emerged as a breakout star as a possible fringe USMNT player last season. He led the team in goal involvements, turning his obvious skill into goal production. He moved around the field as a left wing that cut inside or a more traditional central midfielder. He even added a few back-post header goals to his repertoire now that he’s no longer a teenager. Austin’s lack of attack last season begged for him to have more creative help around him, and hopefully, the arrival of Facundo Torres helps alleviate some of that defensive attention.

Ilie Sánchez
The veteran presence in the midfield and often times touchline coach when not playing, is back again after 26 starts and 20 appearances last season. Austin typically plays with holding “6,” and Sanchez is the first choice, despite his age. He is the quintessential “coach on the field” who directs the other players, communicates tactics, and takes on the responsibility of arguing with the referees. It may be his last season playing before turning to a full-time coaching career.

Austin FC Midfielder Daniel Pereira: Photo courtesy of Aaronflics (Aaron Caldwell)

Daniel Pereira
Austin FC’s first-ever draft pick is entering his 6th MLS season and is still an important starter for this team. His defensive ability in terms of ground covered and combativeness, combined with his ability on the ball to beat defenders with the dribble, are things no other player matches in this midfield. Austin’s attack needs his ability to get the ball from the defense up to them quickly.

Besard Sabovic
The Swedish international had a disappointing first season for Austin FC. This is where I’ll use the “Gass Theorem” to provide some hope. MLS Media personally, David Gass posits the idea that it can take a player more than one season to adapt to the league and play to their best. It’s still unclear which midfield role is best for him in Austin’s setup, and the quicker Nico can unlock that, the quicker he can be a regular contributor.

Nico Dubersarsky
Another year into his defensive midfielder apprenticeship, he’s shown that when he is on the field, he has the skills for ball-winning and progression to be a player. He’s still only 21 and is the player in this group most likely to make a jump into being a regular starter after learning more of what he can and can’t get away with in MLS.

Robert Taylor
Long-time MLS player who was brought in to try and provide some attacking balance down the left side of the field, but that never materialized. When deployed, he was able to help with possession and passing, but outside of a garbage-time goal against DC United, it didn’t result in any kind of positive goal production that Austin desperately needed. If you asked me which player Austin is most likely to use its remaining buy outlet on, it would be Taylor.

Joseph Rosales
Going back to the top of the post, Rosales is a defender, either left back or left wingback, so I was surprised to see him listed as a midfielder. His time in Minnesota was at an end, thanks to the emergence of Anthony Markanich and other disciplinary issues. This pre-season, he’s played as a left wing-back or on the left wing, which is further advanced than when he played with the Loons.

Ervin Torres
Austin FC signed the midfielder to a homegrown deal last Novemberafter another impressive season with the FC 2 team. He made his first appearance for the first team in 2024 and only had one appearance last season as well. He’s still behind the above players in the central midfield depth chart, but with how much he’s impressed the team and the fans, we could see more of him this year.

Micah Burton
The 18-year-old USYNT player was the shining star of the Austin FC academy, but hasn’t broken out for the FC 2 team or made an appearance with the first team yet. We’re likely to still see him play at Parmer Field this season, where the expectation is that he would make a leap forward, but it looks like Jorge Alastuey will be the centerpiece of that side, and the only thing holding him back from being called up to the first team is the international spot he would require.

Outlook: Austin’s midfield doesn’t have any new players expected to impact the team, and their biggest question is centered around two things: Where does Owen Wolff help this team most, and how long can Ilie still be a locked-in starter?

WRITTEN BY SCOTT SPECHT FOR WAATV