FC Dallas head coach Eric Quill described midfielder Ramiro as "a massive piece of our puzzle" following his captain's performance against the Portland Timbers. 

Quill watched on as his team defeated their Western Conference rivals 2-0, with goals from Petar Musa and Lalas Aboubakar edging them closer to the playoff spots. 

Ramiro was tasked with leading the team at Toyota Stadium after previous club captain Luciano Acosta completed a switch to Brazilian side Fluminense. 

The 32-year-old, who joined the club ahead of the new season on a two-year deal, is likely to wear the armband for Dallas' upcoming MLS fixture against Austin FC. 

The two teams are separated by just six points in the Eastern Conference, though Quill is confident that Ramiro can lead from the front to get his team closer to their goal. 

"He [Ramiro] has shown this since day one, coming in the building. This is who he is," said Quill.

"It is in his DNA. He cares deeply, he is a competitor, but he cares about the guys. And he is a footballer.

"You can play him as a nine or an eight, seven, six, five. Whatever position you put him in, he is going to perform at a high level.

"He just has a really smart brain and a huge heart. He loves to win. What you see out there is how he trains every single day of his life and how he lives his life, so he is a massive piece of our puzzle.

"Credit to him as our captain, we follow him."

But Austin could pose a difficult test for Dallas here. Nico Estevez's side are unbeaten in their last four MLS games, most recently drawing 2-2 against the Houston Dynamo.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Austin FC – Myrto Uzuni

Myrto Uzuni has stepped up in the absence of Brandon Vazquez, who is sidelined for the rest of the 2025 season.

The Albanian forward has either scored or assisted in three of his last five matches since Vazquez's injury.

FC Dallas – Petar Musa

Petar Musa has scored in each of his last four regular-season matches, totalling six goals. The striker has scored 13 goals in total this season, and registered five assists.

Musa, who scored in five straight games in 2024, could become the second FC Dallas player to record multiple goalscoring streaks of five or more games, after Jason Kreis (2000 and 2002).

MATCH PREDICTION – AUSTIN FC WIN

Austin have lost only two of their last 14 matches in all competitions (W5 D7) dating back to mid-May. Austin are unbeaten in five straight matches in all competitions, having not recorded a longer run since June-July 2022 (7 straight).

However, Dallas have lost only three of their last 14 away matches in all competitions dating back to last October (W4 D7). Dallas had lost eight of their previous 12 away matches (W1 D3).

Dallas have won two straight matches against Austin, recording victories in May and July 2024, both in Dallas. The last two meetings at Q2 Stadium have been won by Austin.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Austin FC – 55.7%

Draw – 22.9%

FC Dallas – 21.4%