By 
Consistency.
Better defenders.
More prolific scorers.
There was a variety of opinions from Austin FC fans Saturday about what the club needs to do in the offseason to be better next year, but all of them said one thing needs to happen more often in 2027: Winning.
Austin FC finished out its season with a 2-0 loss to Portland at Q2 Stadium, and while the Timbers needed the three points to reach the MLS playoffs – they actually rose to seventh in the West to avoid the play-in game – it was a meaningless contest for the Verde and Black.
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The finale still drew a decent crowd, with some not shy about giving their thoughts on a club that missed the playoffs for the fourth time in six years.
"We need a pretty big overhaul," said Don Simoneaux, who previously had season tickets and said he now comes to about 90% of the games. "I'd really love to see a little bit more star power … and make some more higher-profile signings to get the fans engaged. We need more clinical goal-scoring opportunities and probably need an upgrade at striker and winger, but it's really kind of back to front except for (goalie Brad Stuver)."
Drew Warriner, who said he's a season ticket holder, simply wants a better product on the field. He'd like a repeat of the 2022 season when Austin FC finished second in the Western Conference and made the conference finals in the playoffs, and he's hoping a healthy Brandon Vazquez can provide a boost next season.
"I felt like he was the big guy last year, and then he's hurt this year," Warriner said. "This year hasn't been wasted, but he's trying to rehab and get back. So we'll see if we can get some real form up top and keep everybody healthy for once."
Bill Farrell, who was at the game with his wife, Rebecca, is in favor of revamping the defense. Rebecca Farrell wants a more aggressive offense, but both of them noted the club has a lot of work to do.
"Those things are just the beginning," Bill Farrell said.
Change and hope are on the horizon for Austin FC
As players cleaned out their lockers postgame, with some leaving the facility more quickly than others, it's unclear who will be back – even those under contract – with a new sporting director and coach.
The atmosphere wasn't as dour as it was Oct. 28 following a loss to Real Salt Lake that eliminated the club from postseason contention, but it still hit some players that the year is done.
"Missing the playoffs hurts," Stuver said. "And being here for all six years and missing four times, it carries a heavy burden."
Stuver and forwards Brandon Vazquez and Christian Ramírez are three players who are almost certain to return.
Ramírez lamented the team's home form the second half of the season. Austin FC is 0-5-4 in its last nine matches at Q2 Stadium, has lost four straight there and hasn't won a home MLS match since July.
"It should be our goal next year to make this place a fortress," Ramírez said.
Vazquez's journey back from a torn ACL suffered in July 2025 has affected the club probably more than it should have by magnifying its other deficiencies. He admitted Saturday he's still not close to 100% and that his knee is on his mind when going into challenges.
Vazquez, the team's big signing before the 2025 season, has played better the last six weeks and scored three goals. With more than two months before training camp starts for the sprint season in mid-January, he hopes he'll be completely ready for 2027.
"I've basically been through 18 months of rehab," he said. "I need to get past this offseason and be fresh and ready to go."
This article originally published at 'More star power': What Austin FC fans want after another MLS season without playoffs.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/more-star-power-austin-fc-143025199.html
