Tomás Pochettino scored his first two (2) goals for Austin FC and Cecilio Domínguez provided his team-leading fourth to lead Austin FC back into the win column with a 3-2 victory over Houston Dynamo FC tonight.
ATXFC attacked with purpose from the opening kick off. In the seventh minute, midfielder Sebastian Berhalter won the ball in the final third and crossed the ball to Julio Cascante, who was up after a set piece. The center back squared it for Pochettino, whose shot bounced off the goal frame, off Houston defender Zarek Valentin and into the back of the net.
In the 20th minute Dynamo midfielder Darwin Cerén lashed out and landed an elbow to Berhalter’s head. Cerén was immediately shown a red card, putting Austin FC up a man for the remainder of the match.
Houston capitalized on a mistake in the back from Austin in the 27th minute and pulled level. Brad Stuver made an initial save on Corey Baird, but Canada international Tyler Pasher polished off the rebound to make it 1-1.
The Verde & Black regained the lead in first-half stoppage time. Žan Kolmanič played a cross that found the foot of Diego Fagundez. His shot was saved by Houston goalkeeper Marko Maric, but Pochettino converted the rebound from 8 yards out for his second goal of the match.
After controlling the ball at the start of the second half, Domínguez added to Austin’s lead in the 56th minute. Defender Hector Jiménez played Fagundez through to the end line and he clipped a cross to the far post that Domínguez was able to power into the back of the net with his head.
Austin dominated the ball and the chances over the final 30 minutes, taking advantage of its numerical superiority. However, Fafà Picault was able to get one goal back in the 86th minute after a misplay by Stuver.
Goal-Scoring Summary
ATX (1-0) – Tomás Pochettino 7’ (assisted by Julio Cascante)
HOU (1-1) - Tyler Pasher 27’ (unassisted)
ATX (2-1) - Tomás Pochettino 45’ (unassisted)
ATX (3-1) – Cecilio Domínguez 56’ (assisted by Diego Fagundez, Hector Jimenez)
HOU (3-2) – Fafà Picault 86’ (unassisted)
Photo Courtesy Austin FC