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Austin plays strong against Portland, but gives up late goal in 1-0 defeat

September 7, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Austin Aztex News Release


AUSTIN - Just as Austin finally started to find its offensive rhythm and turn around a stalemate, a late, unlucky rebound snatched away hopes for a draw and gave Portland a 1-0 win on Monday night at Nelson Field.

A Portland shot by Keith Savage in the 85th minute was snuffed out by a Miguel Gallardo diving save, but the keeper couldn't corral the blast and the rebound found Portland's Stephen Keel unmarked in the box. Keel promptly netted the goal to end a tense back-and forth match.

"I don't think there was an awful lot in the game tonight," Aztex head coach Adrian Heath said. "I thought we were probably the better team in the second [half]. ... [But] I can't be too critical."

Heath's relative calmness about the loss comes as a result of Austin's hectic schedule. Monday marked Austin's fourth game, two of which came on a road trip from Vancouver to Miami, in nine days. The reward for the trip was a Monday home match against the league's top team who are fresh off a 25-game unbeaten streak.

"When you consider the games we've had in a short period, I can't be too critical," Heath said. "On the whole, not bad."

The travel seemed to have its effects on the team early. Ryan Caugherty went down in the first 10 minutes with a knee injury and Gareth Evans pulled a hamstring less than 15 minutes later. Near the end of the match, Eddie Johnson went down, reinjuring his back.

"It really takes a toll on you," Gallardo said of the travel. "Our legs gave out toward the end."

Keel's game winner came after a 10-minute stretch where the Austin offense, dormant for much of the match, began to create opportunities. A corner kick in the 80th minute found a leaping Gifton Noel-Williams, but the ensuing header lacked enough power and was reigned in by Portland keeper Steve Cronin.

Neither side created many chances to start the game off, but Portland managed to control much of the possession while Austin struggled to show much influence in the midfield. After 25 minutes of back-and-forth play, Portland's Jason McLaughlin finally found space but the unmarked forward couldn't head home a cross off a corner.

The game began to open up for Portland shortly afterwards, but the visitors couldn't find the goal. The Timbers' best chance came when a corner kick in the 33rd minute bounced around in the box before Austin's Ryan McMahen cleared the ball off the goal line. On the other side, Austin rarely troubled the Portland defense, putting up only two shots in the half to the Timbers' seven.

The second half would play out similarly, but Austin would gain control of the match toward the end. Keel's goal brought an end to the Aztex momentum and left Austin with a disappointing loss in its final home game of the season.

"When we do the things that we can do and we do them well, we can play with anybody in the league," Heath said. "We're not a million miles away but we can't keep making the same mistakes."

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