Austin FC II scored two goals in the last ten minutes of play to remain undefeated at home, defeating Tacoma Defiance 2-1 at Parmer Field at St. David’s Performance Center.
Head Coach Brett Uttley started a back four of Joe Hafferty, Kipp Keller, Sal Mazzaferro and Cheick Touré with Alonso Ramírez, Valentin Noël and Steeve Louis Jean manning the middle. CJ Fodrey, Alfonso Ocampo-Chávez and David Rodríguez started as the three forwards.
ATXFC II saw many chances in the first-half, starting in the 2nd-minute where CJ Fodrey nearly finished a header in the box. ATXFC II saw another chance as David Rodriguez dribbled his way through the Tacoma defense but saw his shot sail over the crossbar. Tacoma found their goal on a penalty kick by Abdoulaye Cissoko in the 22nd-minute. ATXFC II saw their best chance of the first 45’-minutes as Steeve Louis Jean got into the box and found Valentin Noël who saw his shot go just north of the crossbar.
Tacoma’s Travian Sousa received his second yellow card of the match in the 66th-minute, leaving the Defiance with 10 men for the rest of the match. ATXFC II earned a penalty kick after a handball in the box by the Defiance. Alonso Ramírez stepped up for ATXFC II and snuck the ball in the bottom left corner to tie the match in the 84th-minute. With ATXFC II keeping their foot on the gas, a deep shot from Ramírez ricocheted off the Tacoma keeper, where Christo Vela hustled to the ball and rebounded the shot, resulting in a stoppage-time winner and giving ATXFC II another three points at home.
ATXFC II finished the match with 18 shots compared to Tacoma’s two attempts and controlled possession for 60% of the match.
ATXFC II looks to remain undefeated at home as they host North Texas SC on Wednesday, April 12 at Parmer Field at St. David’s Performance Center at 7 p.m. CT.
Goal-Scoring Summary
TAC (0-1) – Abdoulaye Cissoko (penalty kick) 22’
ATX (1-1) - Alonso Ramírez (penalty kick) 84’
ATX (2-1) – Christo Vela (unassisted) 90’+4
Next Match
Austin FC II will play its second consecutive home match and fourth match overall of the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro regular season against North Texas SC on Wednesday, April 12 at 7:00 p.m. CT. Fans can purchase tickets to watch the match at Parmer Field at St. David’s Performance Center, and enjoy food, drinks, and entertainment at The Pitch, immediately adjacent to the stadium. For those who can’t make it, the match will be available to watch on the Apple TV app to MLS Season Pass subscribers.
