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USL Austin Bold FC

Austin Bold FC Battle Back to Draw 1-1 with Real Monarchs

May 22, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Austin Bold FC News Release


Austin, TX - Austin Bold FC battled back to draw Real Monarchs 1-1 at Zions Bank Stadium to gain their first point of the 2021 USL Championship season. The home side opened the scoring for the night through a right-footed shot from Jeizon Ramirez just before the halftime whistle. The Bold took control of the second half and created multiple chances. They finally found a breakthrough at the hour mark through a powerful Xavi Baez strike. The Bold created more scoring opportunities but couldn't find the game-winner. Your neighborhood soccer club will take on Real Monarchs again this Wednesday in the 2021 Home Opener at Bold Stadium. Get your tickets here!

The home side started the match aggressively in the early minutes and forced Bold newcomer Elliot Panicco into impressive saves. The Nashville SC loanee got big to deny striker Milan Iloski a clear goalscoring opportunity in the 4'.

Austin Bold wrestled control of the match. Forward Stefano Pinho found the back of the net with a header, but it was called offside by the assistant referee. Real Monarchs' Ramirez broke the deadlock in the 41' after connecting with a Malik Johnson early cross to take the Utah club into halftime with a 1-0 lead.

Baez found the equalizer in the 60'. Monarch's goalkeeper Zac McMath came off his line to clear the danger from a Juan Pablo Torres corner. His punched clearance landed to an onrushing Baez to blast towards goal. The ball hit the woodwork, then bounced off McMath and into the back of the net to make it 1-1

Owayne Gordon and Emilio Ycaza almost found the game-winner in stoppage time, but quality saves from McMath kept the match level till the final whistle.

Austin Bold FC returns to Bold Stadium on May 26 at 8:00 PM to take on Real Monarchs SLC. With single-game tickets starting at $15 and season ticket memberships starting at $190, every member of the Bold Familia has a way to cheer on their neighborhood soccer club.

Post Match Quotes:

Xavi Baez on the night's result.

"The game was highly contested. I think today we saw great growth in our game, despite conceding the goal. We were never discouraged to continue fighting and we took home our reward of a draw thanks to the efforts of the whole team. I think we could have won the game in the end,but we leave with many good things to help us continue to grow. We'll continue to improve, but we are happy with our first point of the season"

Head Coach Marcelo Serrano on the team's performance.

"We're very happy with the performance. It's not easy coming to Real Monarchs and get a result. They're a very good team. Today our team showed character. We take the positives out of the match and focus on the things we need to work on for the next game. The most important things is they stuck together and fought together. It showed with Xavi Baez stepping up with an exquisite finish."

Head Coach Marcelo Serrano on Xavi Baez's impact on the team.

His leadership qualities are amazing. He's highly respected amongst everyonein the group and he's such a humble leader that leads by example. He just puts in the work every day. He shows up in games when it matters the most and today's was one of those days.

Elliot Panicco on his first professional start.

"It was great to get my first professional game, I'm very thankful to the coaching staff and Austin Bold as a whole for the opportunity. I thought the guys in front of me played well and made it easy for me to step in for my first game. Although we are disappointed to not get all three points, we are glad to have gotten at least one and are ready to get all three at home this coming Wednesday."

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 22, 2021


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