Austin FC Draw Feels Like a Loss

This was a must win match for the Austin FC.  To earn a 2-2 draw against Real Salt Lake can only been taken as a defeat. 

While not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, it would take the calculus of Einstein’s Theory of Relative to make the post season. 

Austin played hard.  If they played this hard throughout the season, they would not be looking at such gloomy prospects.    

After a scoreless first half, the visitors opened it up in the 48th minute.  Austin keeper Brad Stuver made a very solid save on Christian Arango’s point-blank shot, but Matt Crooks collected the rebound and easily buried the ball. 

Salt Lake’s second score was setup on a video review of a hand ball foul called on Owen Wolff in the box. Diogo Goncalves converted on the penalty kick by going to the right when Stuver went left in the 65th minute.

Wounded, but not dead, Austin continued to fight. 

Jader Obrian collected a sweet little pass from Jon Gallagher to convert an low-probably shot to beat goaltender Zac MacBeth in the 82nd minute. 

Sebastian Driussi threaded the needle 25 yards as Guilherme Biro broke for the goal to setup the match tying goal for Austin in the 89th minute. 

Biro could have been the hero of the match in stoppage time, sending the ball inches wide of the outside post on a well-placed crossing pass from Dani Periera in stoppage time.