Austin FC Tries to Dodge Crisis with New Signings, But Problems Persist

Austin FC is trying, but the real question is—are they trying hard enough? During this recent transfer window, we saw three new faces come in with a fair bit of fanfare: Osman Bukari from Red Star Belgrade, center-back Oleksander Svatok from SC Dnipro, and right-back Mikkel Desler from Toulouse. On the surface, these signings look like they might patch up some of the team’s weaknesses. But let’s be real here—it’s like slapping a band-aid on a deep wound and hoping it magically heals.

Ah, the attack… Losing Moussa Djitté was a serious blow. He was one of the few players in the lineup who had the potential to really shake things up in the final third. The team was already hanging by a thread, and with Djitté gone, that thread’s looking more like a frayed rope ready to snap. Now, all eyes seem to be on Sebastián Driussi, who might end up playing as a false nine. It’s a stopgap solution, like brewing instant coffee and hoping it tastes like a craft espresso. It might do the trick for now, but let’s be honest—no one’s buying it for the long haul.

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It’s not like Austin FC sat on their hands during the transfer window, though. Osman Bukari, for example, is a name that turns heads. As a Designated Player, the expectations are sky-high, and for good reason. Bukari’s the kind of winger who can wreak havoc on defenses with his blistering speed and quick-footed dribbling. If you stick him out wide and let him cut inside with some freedom, he might just be the game-changer Austin’s been searching for.

Sure, a team can sign quality reinforcements, but if the gears aren’t meshing, the engine won’t run. That’s exactly what we’re seeing with Austin FC. This squad needs depth, options, and consistency. Adding Bukari, Svatok, and Desler might be a step in the right direction, but will it be enough to cover all the cracks?

Svatok arrives with a reputation for being a no-nonsense center-back, the kind who doesn’t grab headlines but quietly gets the job done. He’s the guy you don’t really notice until he’s missing, you know? Strong in the air, solid on the ground, no frills. Desler, on the other hand, brings a new dimension to the right-back position—he’s a defender who can attack and hold his own in the backline. He gives the coach a fresh option, which, let’s face it, was sorely lacking.

But Austin’s bigger issue—and here we are again, back at the attack—is the glaring absence of a true center forward. Look, I’ve got nothing against experimenting with Driussi as a false nine. On paper, it sounds like a genius move, but theory and reality are two different animals. You can play with a false nine all you want, but if the team doesn’t have consistent outlets up top to absorb pressure, they’re going to run out of gas. And that’s what worries me about Austin FC. They’re relying too heavily on makeshift solutions that might hold for now, but aren’t addressing the real problem.

Did they bring in players who can make a difference? Absolutely. But will that be enough to solve the deep-rooted issues this team’s been dealing with? Honestly, I’ve got my doubts.

So how do you fix this puzzle? Well, maybe the answer lies in striking a balance between talent and depth. I’m not one to sound the alarm bells or predict doom and gloom—far from it. I actually think Austin FC has the potential to surprise us, especially with these new signings. But until they solve their depth problem and find a legitimate striker, it feels like they’re walking on thin ice. And one wrong step could send them crashing down.