Tired Legs Don’t Stop Austin Over KC

Playing on less the three days of rest, the Austin FC defeated the Sporting Kansas City by a final score of 3-to-2 for their fifth straight home win.  Jader Obrian tallied a brace and Sebastian Driussi added the eventual game-winning goal for Austin.  

Austin jumped to what was believed to be an early with Dani Pereira’s score in the fifth minute of play, but the goal was overturned for an offside infraction. 

Sporting KC took the lead in the 19th minute as Johnny Russell first beat defender Brendan Hines-Ike and the goalkeeper Brad Stuver from close in. 

Austin evened the score in the 28th minute when Pereira’s setup of Obrian to beat KC netminder Tim Melia. 

Obrian tallied his second goal of the contest ten minutes later, assisted by Jhojan Valencia and, again, Pereira. 

Austin looked to put the match on ice with Driussi’s goal in the first minute of play of the second half.  However, KC’s Jake Davis caught Austin off guard in the 63rd minute, shifting momentum in favor of the visitors. 

Austin missed a major opportunity in the 81st minute when goalkeeper Melia fouled Driussi in the box.  The usually sure-footed Driussi put the penalty kick within Melia’s grasp for the save. 

Austin protected their lead for the remainder of the match, including through six minutes of stoppage time to secure the fifth consecutive home win.