Austin FC had an easy assignment at hand on Saturday night at Q2 Stadium. The Verde had just ten minutes left to finish their all-Texas matchup with the Houston Dynamo, leading 2-0.
Maintaining the advantage would result in a victory over one of its Texas rivals, three more points for the postseason race, and Austin FC MLS’s third consecutive victory.
Rather, Dynamo’s comeback at the end of the game tied the score at 2-2.
We are obviously unhappy with the outcome, head coach Nico Est vez stated. We wanted to win for ourselves, the supporters, and the club’s continued ascent up the standings. However, we are aware of how challenging this league is.
In the 73rd minute, defender Pablo Ortiz went down in the penalty box, sparking Houston’s late-game comeback. Following a thorough analysis, the referees determined that Robert Taylor, a midfielder for Austin, had committed a tripping foul, awarding the Dynamo a penalty shot.
Goalie Brad Stuver dived the other way as midfielder Jack McGlynn scored the penalty in the 80th minute from 12 yards out.
The Verde and Black were ahead 2-1 and in a similar position as they had been in the previous two games against D.C. United and the LA Galaxy. Before their opponents converted a penalty in those games, they had a 2-0 lead; late in the game, LA also converted its penalty.
This time, Austin never recovered defensive control, which made a difference. The defense was overworked and lacked enough protection for Houston’s counterattacks as they persisted in their onslaught and attempted to win the game.
The lack of defensive control became apparent in the 89th minute.
Winger Lawrence Ennali received a through pass and sent it to McGlynn at the edge of the box as Austin defenders were having trouble regaining their positions. McGlynn hit the ball into a packed box, where it deflected on its way to goal, without any Austin players pushing him.
According to Estvez, we need to learn how to have a little bit more control in those situations after the decision that went against us with the penalty kick.
Even though it would seem like a loss, forwards Owen Wolff and Osman Bukari continued to play well. The first goal was created by Wolff’s corner in the 31st minute, and ten minutes later, Bukari assisted. In the last three games, both wide players have already contributed three goals.
Additionally, there are some important lessons that Estavez hopes to apply to Austin’s upcoming matchup with FC Dallas, another Texas foe.
Estvez stated, “I believe we need to learn that when you are performing that well in those seventy minutes, you need to make the difference longer in the result.” How do you maintain that advantage and avoid getting overextended if you can’t? Because we were somewhat stretched there, as we could see in the second goal.
On Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Austin FC will play Dallas at Q2 Stadium once more.
