Records of psychological warfare date back three thousand years, when the Philistines and Assyrians laid siege to a city. They studied their opponent and violated even the smallest custom, intimidating villagers and destroying sacred religious artifacts. Instead of attacking the city walls when the siege commenced, they unleashed a constant barrage of disinformation to provoke enemy warriors and introduce doubt into the people. Records reveal Assyrian psych-ops to be so effective that citizens of the city would open the gates before firing a single arrow.
The Verde and Black Brain Trust launched the first salvo by securing a 10:45 a.m. start time. The humidity in Austin prevents the temperature from dropping at night, so even in the morning, the heat can become oppressive. The Galaxy arrived on Thursday to train in the heat and humidity. It made no difference; from the first kick, manager Josh Wolf’s team put the Galaxy under pressure.
Two minutes and thirty-seven seconds into the match, Austin forward Diego Rubio established the terms of engagement with a two-handed shove on Galaxy talisman Riqui Puig. Apparently, center referee Victor Rivas did not want to issue an early yellow card, so he called the foul, but no more. Without field mics, one can only imagine what Rubio said. Perhaps something like, “Having some trouble, little boy!” Or “Welcome to Austin, your Highness.” Or, “Don’t hurt yourself. It’s going to be a long day.”
Puig habitually collects yellow cards by arguing with the referee or retaliating after a hard foul. Riqui mentions referees frequently in post-match interviews and complains that the league does not protect its best players. Rubio obviously studied the tape. Whether he comes by it naturally or mentally rehearses his barbs, Rubio wound up every Galaxy starter except perhaps goalkeeper John McCarthy.
In the seventh minute, Galaxy midfielder Mark Delgado received the ball on the left sideline. Under pressure he attempted to play a short pass to Miki Yamane, who slipped. The ball squirted to designated player Sebastian Driussi who played his first touch to Alex Ring. Ring found Rubio at the top of the box. A quick give-and-go with Jader Obrian put Rubio in on John McCarthy, 1-0 Austin. The entire sequence took less than ten seconds. The play not only put Austin in front, but it also set the stage for Rubio’s entire arsenal of trash talk.
In the ninth minute, Galaxy center-back Martin Caceras knocked Rubio to the ground, tired of the constant jabber, elbows, shoulders, pokes, and chippy fouls on Puig. This time, Rivas pulled out the yellow for Caceres, which precipitated an eruption of protests from the Galaxy players. Even the normally serene Mark Delgado seemed perturbed.
As the foggy minds of Galaxy players focused on everything except soccer,
Austin played twenty minutes of exceptional football. Verde and Black never committed more than four players into attack, leaving at least six to defend in case the Galaxy snapped out of their stupor.
In the nineteenth minute, the Verde and Black needed only one attacker. Brugman intercepted an Austin throw-in and played toward Galaxy forward Miguel Berry. The ball bounced around and fell to Berry once again. Ring picked his pocket from behind with a perfect slide tackle and immediately pinged a perfectly weighted fifty-yard pass between the Galaxy center backs to Obrian. The speedy attacker converted the breakaway with a precise shot off the far post, 2-0 Austin.
The Galaxy never really recovered. At halftime, Vanney reorganized the team, sliding Paintsil up to striker with Diego Fagundez and Gabriel Pec on the wings. Jalen Neal replaced Caceres, hampered by an undisclosed injury. With Yoshida and the fleet-footed Neal at the back, the Galaxy pressed high into the Austin end.
Excellent goalkeeping by Brad Stuver and resolute defending kept the Galaxy off the scoreboard. Normally known for his offense, Driussi marked Puig from end line to end line, a magnificent defensive performance by a big-money designated player rarely seen in MLS.
Austin managed to hold the Galaxy scoreless for more than ninety minutes for the first time in 2024. The comprehensive Galaxy defeat illustrates the importance of mindset in MLS. The Galaxy can physically and tactically beat any team in the league, but can they learn to set aside distractions and focus on soccer? Austin taught them a painful lesson.
Puig will miss the Seattle match on Saturday after collecting his fifth yellow card. Can the Galaxy muster enough tactical discipline and mental toughness to get a result?