This simply isn’t Austin FC’s season. In what was likely its last gasp to remain in the MLS playoff race, the Verde & Black fell 1-0 to Houston Dynamo FC Saturday at Q2 Stadium. Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla’s goal off a bicycle kick in the 83rd minute marked the difference in the contest.

The Houston Dynamo dealt what almost certainly will amount to a death blow to Austin FC’s MLS Cup Playoff chances, handing the Verde and Black a 1-0 defeat at Q2 Stadium Saturday night. In reality, though, Austin FC has no one to blame but themselves.

Solid ATX defending held Olivier Giroud, Denis Bouanga, and the Black and Gold to just six shots on goal and 1.4 expected goals, while the Verde and Black capitalized on a chance late in the first half to take the lead in the match, only to see that lead erased after the hour mark.

Normally a match vs. Houston Dynamo FC would have a focus on the rivalry aspect for Austin FC, but with the Verde & Black fighting for their postseason life and Houston angling to host a first-round playoff series,

Austin FC (9-12-8, 35 points, 10th in the West) hopes to translate the momentum from a spirited 1-1 road draw vs. LAFC on Wednesday, when it played some of its best soccer of the season, to a match that is a must-win if it has plans to be in the postseason.