Austin FC ended their eight-match road trip on Saturday, earning a 1-1 draw against Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park. Cecilio Dominguez provided the lone goal for the Verde & Black, his third of the season.
After a cagey first 25 minutes, Austin took the lead thanks to some solid buildup play in the 26th minute. Zan Kolmanic surged forward from his left back spot and played a 1-2 with Jon Gallagher, after which he found Dominguez at the top of the box. The forward made a nice move around Luis Martins to create space and tucked his shot into the bottom corner.
Over the next 20 minutes, the Austin defense was pressed into action with Brad Stuver making two point-blank saves. The first came in the 34th minute on Roger Espinoza and the second came nine minutes later against Daniel Salloi. Julio Cascante also cleared a ball off the line with his head in the 44th minute.
Dominguez nearly doubled his tally in the 57th minute after making his way past a couple Sporting defenders, but Tim Melia was able to come off his line to make a big save.
The home side was eventually able to find an equalizer in the 71st minute. After a couple deflections off of a Gianluca Busio shot from outside the box, the ball fell to Daniel Salloi in the box and he finished into an open net to even the score.
Stuver again denied Sporting in the 76th minute, when he made himself big on a Johnny Russell chance that could have given SKC a lead. Austin’s Rodney Redes, who came on as a sub, also had a chance to give his side the lead but missed his shot wide after Manny Perez laid off the ball to him on the break.
THREE THINGS
- CECILIO UP TOP: With Danny Hoesen out injured, Dominguez again got the start up top. It was second start in the striker role and he didn’t disappoint, finishing off a nice play and nearly getting a second after weaving his way through the Sporting defense.
- STUVER THE STOPPER: Brad Stuver’s form has been off the charts all season and he continued his strong play on Saturday, making multiple key saves to keep Sporting off the scoresheet for the majority of the match. In total he made 10 saves in the match.
- HOMECOMING: It’s over. Austin will finally be able to host a home match next week when the San Jose Earthquakes come to town on Saturday. The Verde & Black completed their eight-game road trip against Sporting and earned eight points in those matches.
