Goals two (2) minutes apart from Gyasi Zardes and Ethan Finlay led Austin FC to a 2-1 win over Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night at Q2 Stadium. The victory moves the Verde & Black into fifth place in the MLS Western Conference as the team enters a month-long break from league action to compete in the inaugural Leagues Cup.
Austin started the match well and were rewarded for their attacking intent with goals in the 17th and 19th minutes. Zardes netted the first, heading a cross from Jon Gallagher at SKC goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh and cleaning up the ensuing rebound for his sixth goal of the season.
Finlay then doubled the advantage with a precise left-footed first-time shot. Zardes and Finlay have both scored in each of the Verde & Black’s last three (3) home matches.
Kansas City got a goal back before halftime, as center back Dany Rosero headed in Daniel Sallói’s corner kick delivery in the 33rd minute.
Austin created a number of chances in the second half while defending their narrow lead, with Rodney Redes forcing a great save by McIntosh from a narrow angle. While SKC applied some pressure of their own, the Verde & Black were able to hold firm and extend their home winning streak to three (3) matches.
Goal-Scoring Summary
ATX (1-0) – Gyasi Zardes (unassisted) 17’
ATX (2-0) – Ethan Finlay (unassisted) 19’
SKC (2-1) – Dany Rosero (assisted by Daniel Sallói) 33’
Next Match
Austin FC will play its first-ever Leagues Cup match at home against Mazatlán FC on Friday, July 21 at 7:30 p.m. CT. The match will stream live in English and Spanish on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app. An MLS Season Pass subscription is required in order to watch the match.
On radio, the match will be broadcast on iHeart Radio’s ALT 97.5 in English, as well as on TUDN Radio Austin (104.3-HD2, KLQB) in Spanish.
