March 20, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Austin FC News Release
Austin, TEXAS – 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, with Sebastián Driussi coming close on an early volley, Brad Stuver making a smart save to deny Seattle’s Rusnák in the 26th minute, and Moussa Djitté seeing his close-range effort blocked by Jackson Ragen shortly after.
The Sounders found the net just before halftime, with Will Bruin bundling 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.
Goal-Scoring Summary
SEA (0-1) – Will Bruin (assisted by Cristian Roldán and João Paulo) 43′
ATX (1-1) – Diego Fagundez (unassisted) 70′
Misconduct Summary
SEA – Jackson Ragen (caution) 58′
SEA – Alex Roldán (caution) 77′
Media Assets (courtesy of Austin FC)
Austin FC Head Coach Josh Wolff and Austin FC midfielder Diego Fagundez press conference
Austin FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC highlights – March 20, 2022
Boxscore
Austin FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC | Q2 Stadium (Austin, TX) | March 20, 2022
Lineups
Austin FC: Brad Stuver, Žan Kolmanič (Jon Gallagher 82′), Ruben Gabrielsen, Julio Cascante, Nick Lima (Hector Jimenez 82′), Daniel Pereira (Felipe Martins 82′), Alex Ring ©, Sebastián Driussi, Cecilio Domínguez, Moussa Djitté (Maxi Urruti 57′), Ethan Finlay (Diego Fagundez 57′)
Substitutes not used: Andrew Tarbell, Kipp Keller, Jhojan Valencia, Danny Hoesen
Head Coach: Josh Wolff
TOTAL SHOTS: 21; SHOTS ON GOAL: 8; FOULS: 12; OFFSIDE: 1; CORNER KICKS: 9; SAVES: 3
Seattle Sounders FC: Stefan Cleveland, Xavier Arreaga, Nouhou Tolo (Abdoulaye Cissoko 64′), Jackson Ragen, João Paulo, Cristian Roldán © (Josh Atencio 87′), Albert Rusnák (Kelyn Rowe 64′), Alex Roldán, Léo Chú (Jordan Morris 56′), Obed Vargas, Will Bruin (Fredy Montero 56′)
Substitutes not used: Sam Adeniran, Reed Baker-Whiting, Wallis Lapsley, Danny Leyva
Head Coach: Brian Schmetzer
TOTAL SHOTS: 14; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; FOULS: 6; OFFSIDE: 3; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 7
Match Information
Referee: Lukasz Szpala
Assistant Referee 1: CJ Morgante
Assistant Referee 2: Jeffrey Greeson
4th Official: Armando Villarreal
VAR: Kevin Stott
Assistant VAR: Joshua Patlak
Weather: Sunny, 79 degrees
Attendance: 20,738
Statistical Source: MLSSoccer.com / Opta
Next Match
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.
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