Austin FC came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Seattle Sounders FC in front of a sold-out crowd at Q2 Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with Diego Fagundez providing the key moment for the Verde & Black in the second half.
An even first half saw both sides create a handful of chances. Sebastián Driussi came close on an early volley, Brad Stuver made a smart save to deny Seattle’s Albert Rusnák in the 26th minute, and Moussa Djitté saw his close-range effort blocked by Jackson Ragen shortly after.
The Sounders found the net just before halftime, as Will Bruin bundled home a low cross from Cristian Roldán on 43 minutes.
The Verde & Black responded well and were unlucky not to equalize on two occasions – when Alex Ring’s shot hit the post, and when Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland made an incredible save to deny a powerful header from Ruben Gabrielsen.
Eventually, ATXFC was rewarded for its attacking intent, with Fagundez scoring in the 70th minute after coming off the bench. The midfielder did well to bring down a headed cross from Cecilio Domínguez in a crowded penalty area, turned cleverly, and finished past Cleveland.
Both teams then hit the woodwork in quick succession, as Ring rung the frame for a second time and Seattle’s Kelyn Rowe fired a strike off the crossbar.
Stuver made another excellent save on Sounders forward Fredy Montero in the 80th minute, and the Verde & Black continued to pile on pressure at the other end of the pitch. Ultimately, neither side could find a winner and each took one point from the contest.
THREE THINGS
- SELLOUT STREAK: Sunday’s sold-out attendance of 20,738 was Austin FC’s 20th consecutive MLS home sell-out, the longest active streak in the league.
- UNDRAWABLE NO MORE: The result against Seattle ended a run of 26 matches without a draw for the Verde & Black.
- COMEBACK KIDS: The match marked the second time in Club history in which ATXFC came from behind to earn a result, and the first time since the first win in Club history versus Colorado Rapids on April 24, 2021.
UP NEXT
Austin FC will play its second away match and fifth match overall of the 2022 Major League Soccer regular season against San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, April 2 at 6:30 p.m. CT. The match will feature a regional TV broadcast in English language on KBVO (MyNetworkTV), as well as a livestream on AustinFC.com and the Austin FC app.
In Spanish language, the match will feature a livestream on UnivisionAustin.com and the Univision Austin app.
On radio, the match will be broadcast on KASE-FM (ALT 97.5) in English, as well as on TUDN Radio Austin (104.3-HD2, KLQB) in Spanish.
