Djitte, Gaines Lead Austin FC to Victory

The Austin FC topped the LA Galaxy FC in a historic match that saw newcomers Moussa Djitte and Austin’s own McKinze Gaines deliver their first goals for the Verde & Black.  The duo led the team to a 2-0 victory, snapping a five-game losing streak. 

Djitte’s goal came in the 64th minute as the striker collected his own rebound and beat LA goalkeeper Jonathan Bond from the box to the top right of the goal.  Djitte led the team with 3 shot, 2 on-target. 

“Having Moussa is extremely fortunate,” said Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff.  “We haven’t had a striker since week 5, and you can see what it means when you have a real striker who can occupy a defense.  It’s a real difference.”

Gaines, in only his second appearance with the club as a substitute, was only on the pitch 6 minutes when collected a Nick Lima crossing pass to slammed a shot from the center of the box to the top right corner of the net.  Gaines, a Round Rock native, played his youth soccer with Lonestar Academy before venturing to Germany for five years in the lower leagues of the Bundesliga.  He returned to US this season for an opportunity with the ATXFC.

“Gaines was in our mind from the get-go,” said Wolff.  “We thought if we could get a lead, we’d put him in there.  He’s got elusiveness, he’s got speed, and he’s going to push that back line.  It was a really nice goal.” 

LA dominated in most statistical categories, winning the possession battle (60-40%), shots (14-12) and shots on goal (7-5), but Brad Stuver made seven saves in the match and picked up his fifth clean sheet of the season and first in 15 games. 

“We don’t get it all right all the time in our first year, but there are a lot of good things that we’ve been building upon all year,” Wolff said. “There is plenty to build off here. It starts with the willingness of the group to keep coming together.”