Austin FC is tied for most points in the Western Conference. Sure, it’s only after one game, but it’s better than the alternative. The Verde & Black opened the 2025 MLS season and the Nico Estévez era Saturday with a 1-0 win over Sporting Kansas City in cold and rainy conditions at Q2 Stadium.

Sporting KC kicked off its 2025 MLS regular-season campaign on Saturday night in Austin, Texas. After a 1-0 defeat on Wednesday night at the hands of Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, Sporting fell by the same scoreline once again.

Both teams missed the Western Conference playoffs last year but made substantial moves in the offseason to bolster their rosters. Austin FC was 11-14-9 (42 points) in 2024 and was plagued by a poor offense that ranked 26th in the league in goals scored.