Austin FC’s first foray into the Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup Playoffs began on a high note when the second-year club outlasted Real Salt Lake at home on Sunday, Austin-based media outlets reported.
Austin ABC affiliate KVUE reported that Verde striker Sebastián Driussi chipped in two goals while goaltender Brad Stuver stopped a pair of penalty kicks to help Austin FC advance to the Western Conference Semifinals.
“A historic day for soccer in Austin,” the team’s Twitter account proclaimed after the match.
KVUE reported that Driussi’s goal at the 31st-minute mark was made possible by an inch-perfect cross executed by midfielder Diego Fagúndez, making it the eighth time the pair worked together on a score.
Driussi’s second and final goal of the day came during the shootout in which Verde prevailed 3-1.
The victory was part of Austin FC’s penchant for coming from behind as Verde successfully overcame a short-lived deficit, per Austin NBC affiliate KXAN.
“There’s a lot of character in this group,” head coach Josh Wolff said, KXAN reported. “Brad has done extremely well with penalty kicks this year. A lot of the credit goes to him for being prepped, and in the end, he’s making the plays and executing when the lights are on.”
As of press time, Verde awaited the winner of the Monday match between Dallas FC and Minnesota United FC.
Q2 Stadium will host its second-ever playoff matchup on Sunday at 7 p.m., KVUE reported.
According to the station, all playoff matches are single-elimination.
Having begun play in 2021, Austin FC finished its sophomore campaign with a 16-8-10 record.
