Austin FC returned to MLS regular season play for the first time in 15 days on Thursday night, playing host to the league-leading Seattle Sounders. The Sounders escaped Q2 Stadium with a 1-0 victory thanks to a goal from Peru international Raúl Ruidíaz.
Austin maintained possession for much of the match and even put one shot into the Sounders’ net, only to have it disallowed after video review.
Austin FC got its first quality chance in the 19th minute off a set piece as Kekuta Manneh steered a header just wide. The 32nd minute saw chances for both clubs as ATXFC goalkeeper Brad Stuver made a save on Reed Baker-Whiting. A few seconds later on the break, Manneh pinged an inch-perfect cross to Cecilio Domínguez, but the Paraguayan’s shot went wide.
Alex Ring nearly opened the scoring in the 52nd minute when a Diego Fagundez ball into the box found the captain unmarked in front of goal, but his header landed in the arms of Seattle goalkeeper Spencer Richey.
Ruidíaz broke the match open in the 67th minute with a goal minutes after coming on as a substitute. Kelyn Rowe’s through ball deflected off Matt Besler and hit Ruidiaz in the chest. The Sounders leading scorer suddenly hit an audacious volley from over 40 yards out that curled over Stuver.
Ten minutes later, Austin FC fans celebrated what they thought was an equalizer, but Julio Cascante’s diving header was disallowed after Video Review deemed the play offside. Austin pushed to get a result in the final moments of the match but could not break down a Sounders side sitting back deep in its half.
Goal-Scoring Summary
SEA (0-1) – Raúl Ruidíaz, 67’ (unassisted)
Misconduct Summary
SEA – Samuel Adeniran (caution) 34’
ATX – Hector Jimenez (caution) 57’
ATX - Cecilio Domínguez (caution) 85’
SEA - Raúl Ruidíaz (caution) 90’+4
Photo Courtesy: Austin FC