Austin FC Escapes with Draw

The Austin FC played to a 2-to-2 draw with the Charlotte FC, but the match could have easily been a loss for the Verde and Black. 

Austin took the lead in the 11th minute on a picture-perfect cross by Dani Pereira followed by an Alex Ring header to beat goaltender Kristijan Kahlina. 

Ring’s greatness on the goal was negated by a blunder at the defensive end of the pitch.  An unnecessary foul by Ring in the box against Iuri Tavares resulted in a penalty kick conversion by  Karol Swiderski. 

Charlotte claimed the lead when Tavares beat defender Hector Jimenez and goaltender Brad Stuver in the 56th minute. 

Austin’s Jon Gallagher rose to the occasion and tied the score with a shot from in close in the 80th minute. 

The damage could have been much worse for Austin.  Charlotte striker Swiderski easily beat Stuver in the opening moments of the second half, and should have had a goal, but found the cross bar instead. And late in the match Tyger Smalls challenged Stuver but the shot went wide. 

The match could have been a great turning point for Austin as they begin the push for the playoff spot.  Two of the club’s summer signings made their debuts in the match, as winger Osman Bukari started and defender Mikkel Desler came off the bench.  Unfortunately, Sebastian Driussi was absent because of a red card in the previous game and Julian Cascante was out for yellow card accumulations.