Austin FC Ends Eight-Match Winless Streak

It doesn’t seem to matter what state Austin FC is in, when Copa Tejas rivals Houston Dynamo come to Q2 Stadium, you can bank on a Verde win. Saturday night, having gone without a win since the first of March, a dose of orange was exactly what the doctor ordered as ATXFC produced its best 90-minute performance of the season en route to a 2-0 victory. In doing so, the club improved its all-time home record against Houston to 7-1-1.

Austin dominated the first half from the first minute, enjoying the vast majority of possession and creating constant scoring chances. It culminated in a spectacular team goal just 12 minutes into the match, in which the Verde and Black sliced through the Houston defense from back to front with precision and urgency. 

Seven different ATX players touched the ball before it ultimately arrived at the feet of the eighth, Jayden Nelson, at the edge of the 18 yard box. Nelson took four controlled touches to size up defender Felipe Andrade, then uncorked a deadly accurate curling shot with his right foot that pinged off the far post and into the net.

Clinical far-post finish from @JaydenNelson__! pic.twitter.com/GrpcKKymng

“Just us using our quality,” an understated Nelson said of the goal, though he admitted he hopes it gets the attention of Canadian National Team coach Jesse Marsch, as Nelson continues to build his case for a World Cup roster spot.

While Nelson got the benefit of the goalpost deflection, in the 35 minute, Myrto Uzuni – following an impressive nutmegging of a Houston defender – saw his ensuing shot clang off the far post and away from the goal mouth.

But Uzuni’s luck would even out in first half stoppage time. Standing over a free kick opportunity just 20 yards from goal, Austin FC executed a smart set play which caught Houston off guard. Joseph Rosales delivered a back heel pass to Uzuni, whose shot took a massive deflection off the Houston wall and rolled perfectly into the Dynamo net for a 2-0 lead at halftime.

ALBANIAN EAGLE SCREEEEECH