Austin FC defeats FC Dallas in playoffs: Five observations from Western semifinal win

Austin FC picked the right time to record its first win over FC Dallas — and as a result, it’s off to the Western Conference final.

Playing arguably its best 45 minutes of the season in the first half — which was also appropriate timing — El Tree used goals from Moussa Djitté and Sebastián Driussi to top its Copa Tejas rival 2-1 in a Western semifinal Sunday at Q2 Stadium.

Continuing a dream second year for the club, Austin FC will head on the road to play Los Angeles FC on Oct. 30 in a battle between the West’s top two seeds for a spot in the MLS Cup.

Here are some observations from the match, which featured a raucous atmosphere and “Beat L.A.” chants from the crowd after the final whistle.

Moussa Djitté decision pays off

Austin FC played about as well as a team can in the first half.

While it might not have dominated possession, it created eight scoring chances and limited Dallas to one.

Bohls: Austin FC's Brad Stuver setting goals and stopping them

El Tree's offense was crisp and fast, with its backline being tight and goalkeeper Brad Stuver having to make only one save.

Djitté was a bit of a surprise to start the game at forward over the team’s second-leading scorer, Maxi Urruti, but coach Josh Wolff’s moved paid off when he clinically finished a corner kick from Diego Fagúndez in the 26th minute.

Three minutes later, Driussi took advantage of a bad touch by FC Dallas midfielder Alan Velasco, sprinted with the ball downfield and struck a brilliant shot from 20 yards out that crossed the box into the left side of the goal.

If you’re Wolff and the coaching staff, you couldn’t have drawn up a better way for the game’s first 45 minutes to go.

Driussi top MLS player still in postseason

It’s been mentioned in this space multiple times before, but except for maybe three other players, Driussi is on a level above most MLS players.

Besides his goal being a thing of beauty Sunday, his work rate was incredible, and the angles he takes to run onto balls and to defend players are perfect.

Austin FC's Claudio Reyna: Sunday's playoff game versus Dallas 'a reward to our fans'

He may not win the MVP, as ballots were cast before the playoffs begin, but with three goals in the postseason, he’s certainly the most indispensable player left in the playoffs. At times he’s single-handedly willed Austin FC to victory this year.

Daniel Pereira's selection pays dividends

After starting Jjohan Valencia at defensive midfielder for the first-round match against Real Salt Lake, Wolff returned to Daniel Pereira at that spot.

It was a wise move, as Pereira has been a part of the team’s success all year, is more conducive to the offensive play and turned in a good performance Sunday.

Second-half defensive shell gives up goal

No one player had a poor showing Sunday — a key to winning in the playoffs.

While Dallas had some bad giveaways, you’d have to strain to think of more than a couple of bad touches or passes by Austin FC.

Fan culture and shade:How Austin FC has excelled in just two seasons

If you want to nitpick, the squad might have been a little too conservative with the lead and had too much of a defensive mindset in the second half — when Velasco had his goal in the 65th minute to bring Dallas within 2-1.

But that’s being picky in a playoff win, especially one over your derby rival.

Postseason defeats are always bitter — but this one will be especially so for Dallas as Austin FC has officially taken over Texas after winning Copa Tejas, finishing with the second-best record in the West and eliminating Dallas from the playoffs.

Austin 2-0 versus LAFC this season

Anything from this point on is gravy for Austin FC as LAFC will be the favorite and has a roster loaded with superstars.

But given the opportunity, the team will want to take advantage of a chance to play in the MLS Cup, which few teams achieve.

Austin FC is 2-0 against LAFC, and though beating a team three times in a season is difficult, it’s not as big an issue in soccer as two months will have passed since El Tree’s 4-1 win at Q2 Stadium in late August.

Whatever happens, massive credit has to be given to Wolff and sporting director Claudio Reyna for what has transpired this season.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin FC defeats FC Dallas in MLS Western Conference finals