Austin FC played at Q2 Stadium for the first time in 2024 on Saturday, facing USL Championship opponents Louisville City in a preseason friendly. The two teams played a total of 120 minutes of action as the Verde & Black continue building fitness and chemistry with their MLS season opener now three weeks away.
Offseason arrival Jáder Obrian netted his first goal for Austin in the early stages. The ball moved quickly from back to front, as Brad Stuver played Emiliano Rigoni down the left flank. Rigoni found captain Sebastián Driussi in the box, who flicked it to Obrian for the finish.
Louisville scored two goals of their own before both teams made a raft of personnel changes at the 60-minute mark. Valentin Noël then came up with an equalizer for ATXFC, with his well-struck shot from distance deflecting off the post and into the net.
The teams traded goals in the final minutes. Gyasi Zardes put away an excellent corner kick delivery from Žan Kolmanič, who was playing his first match minutes since suffering an ACL injury last April. Louisville leveled the score moments before the whistle though, and the game ended 3-3.
Up next for Austin FC is a trip to California on Monday, where the team will play three more preseason matches as part of the Coachella Valley Invitational between February 7 and 14.
