Portland Snaps Austin’s Home Win Steak

Austin FC fell to Portland Timbers 2-0 on Wednesday night in a match of two faces.  The lost was Austin’s first on its home pitch this season.   

Kudos to Portland.  Austin owned the first half.  Possessing the ball 62% of the time, and out shooting the Timbers 15-8.  But the visitors did not bend and did not break. 

Austin missed major opportunities.  Sebastian Driussi was on the losing side of a penalty kick, and was later rejected on a one-on-one against Portland goal keeper James Pantemis. 

Despite the lackluster performance, it was set pieces that did in Austin.   Evander Da Silva Ferreira beat Brad Stuver on a free kick that sneaked just inside the right post in first half stoppage time.  And Jonathan Rodríguez converted on a penalty kick in the 66th minute. 

The effects of just three days’ rest between matches was apparent in the second half.  The team’s play was sloppy, seemingly committing fouls out of frustrations. Austin was shown five yellow cards in the second half.  

Brendan Hines-Ike’s penalty in the box against Antony Alves Santos as an example.  Portland’s Rodriguez  converted on the penalty kick, giving themselves an insurance goal, and taking the wind out of an already depleted Austin morale. 

Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff referred to his team’s play as “sloppy” and that “too many guys had a poor night.”  Wolff also said the team “lost our structure and positioning.” 

The biggest concern was an apparent injury to Sebastian Driussi, who left the match the 60th minute of play.  

Austin plays again in just three days’ time on the road against Real Salt Lake.