MLS MVP frontrunner Sebastián Driussi’s penalty kick goal led Austin FC to a 1-1 draw with Colorado Rapids in front of a sold out crowd at Q2 Stadium on MLS Decision Day. The Verde & Black finished the 2022 MLS regular season in second place in the Western Conference, and tied the record for the largest points improvement by a second-year expansion team in league history.
Alex Ring had an early shot saved by Colorado goalkeeper William Yarbrough. Austin then thought they had taken the lead in the 25th-minute, only for the VAR to disallow the goal after ruling Driussi offside.
Austin finally found its goal - the 100th in Club history - from the penalty spot in the 81st-minute. Colorado’s Bryan Acosta fouled Felipe in the box, and Driussi converted from 12 yards for his 22nd goal of the season.
THREE THINGS
- ALWAYS IMPROVING: The Verde & Black finished the 2022 season with 25 more points than it did the 2021 season, tying the record for the largest improvement by a second-year expansion club in league history.
- CENTURIONS: Driussi’s goal was the 100th in Austin FC’s MLS history.
- SELLOUT STREAK: With an attendance of 20,738, Austin FC sold out its 34th-consecutive MLS home match, the league’s longest-active streak.
UP NEXT
Austin FC will play its first-ever Audi MLS Cup Playoff match next weekend, and has clinched the right to host the match at Q2 Stadium by finishing in second place in the MLS Western Conference.
The match will take place between October 15 and October 17, with exact date, time, opponent, and broadcast information to be announced separately.
