Austin FC, coming into this game sitting second place behind LAFC in the Western Conference, faced a team that is in the bottom half of the Western Conference, the Colorado Rapids. Fortunately for Austin, They inch closer to first place with a 3-2 win against fellow Western Conference foe, Colorado Rapids.

Colorado took an early lead in the 19th minute. Mark-Anthony Kaye was taking a free-kick and, instead of trying to shoot it himself, he elected to cross it to Lalas Abubakar, who was running towards the net. Lalas then got to the ball and, instead of trying to head the ball into the net, he kind of tilted his body slightly backward and kicked it to the back of the net. The goalie was utterly stunned. His reaction was delayed. Three minutes later, Jonathan Lewis made it 2-0 with a chip shot. Diego Rubio was credited with the assist as he received a long cross from the opponent's side and Lewis was already running towards the goal, so all Diego had to do was pass the ball to Lewis, who found his way past two defenders for an easy chip. Ethan Fidlay had a chip shot of his own and he made sure it went in, thus making the score 2-1. There was some miscommunication between Auston Trusty and Danny Wilson about who was supposed to cover Fidlay, but Fidlay exposed the lack of coverage in the 28th minute. Sebastián Driussi ties the game up right before halftime. Once again, Auston Trusty let another goal go when Driussi passed him for an easy header.

Austin FC started the second half right where they left off in the first, all offense. Maximiliano Urruti had a goal in the 52nd minute, but VAR called it off because of a handball. After some minutes passed, Urruti had a clear goal. This goal came in the 59th minute and Fidlay was credited with the assist. Driussi helped out as he played the “dummy” in this play when Fidlay passed the ball. It looked like Driussi was going to shoot it, but instead, he let it go between his legs, only to have Urruti shoot it. Colorado, not giving up, had ample time to score and even things up, including being up a man in the final 15 minutes, but Austin was just too good tonight. 

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Sean Faska]