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USL Austin Bold FC

Austin Bold Fight Back Twice to Draw FC Tulsa 2-2

August 19, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Austin Bold FC News Release


Austin, TX - Austin Bold FC fought back twice to draw FC Tulsa 2-2 and gain a critical road point on Wednesday night at ONEOK Field. The home side broke the deadlock with a Lebo Moloto strike, but defender Fabien Garcia scored his first goal for The Bold with a header to bring the match level again right before halftime. Tulsa retook the lead with a one time volley by Dario Suárez, his second of the season. A late goal from a Xavi Baez freekick was enough for Austin to end the night with a point and extend their unbeaten streak to three. Next up, The Bold are on the road again as they travel south to take on Rio Grande Valley FC Toros on Saturday. Catch all Bold matches on ESPN+.

The match started at a slow stop and go pace, with both sides racking up fouls early on. Each club produced dangerous chances, but Tulsa got on the scoreboard first in the 26'. Suarez found Moloto at the top of the box, and the midfielder hit a right footed shot from long distance, just out of Diego Restrepo's reach.

Austin leveled the match right before halftime through a Garcia. Kleber's long cross-field ball found Ismaila Jome, who's chipped pass was enough for Garica to power home with a header to score his first goal for The Bold.

It would be the home side to retake the lead in the 65' through Suarez. A giveaway at the halfway line launched a Tulsa counterattack. Bradley Bourgeois nodded a long ball down to Suarez to volley a right footed shot from the center of the box and give FC Tulsa a 2-1 advantage.

The Bold searched for an equalizer and finally found one in the 82'. Billy Forbes won a freekick for Austin from a distance. Baez's delivery swung into a crowded box, avoided everyone, and snuck by goalkeeper Sean Lewis to make the match 2-2. Both sides would leave ONEOK Field with a point apiece.

Match Quotes

Midfielder Xavi Baez on scoring two goals in two matches.

"I'm very happy to be able to score in two games in a row and to be able to help my team in this way. I'll continue to work harder and harder to help achieve our team goal. That the most important thing in this family that we have formed. I want to dedicate these goals to our fans who always support us and we hope to celebrate together soon."

Baez on the team's mentality to fight back twice to end with a point.

"This game was very difficult given that we went down twice, but I think we are improving a lot. The team showed great personality and we trust in the work we have done over the past few weeks. Today we were able to fight back from being down and we're happy with the performance we gave, even though I think we deserved more. We will not be satisfied because we're better than this and each game we're improving. We are on the right path and we'll continue working with a lot of love. The Bold Familia is built for great things and we played as a great family today."

Head Coach Marcelo Serrano on players stepping up in different roles.

"We're still evolving and growing as a team from all the pandemic related changes. It takes time to build a new style with new players on the squad. Hopefully, we can push until the end of the season."

Serrano on the final three matches of the current road trip.

"We still gotta improve on some areas and keep what we are doing. Being humble and trying to be the best that we can be is always our goal for the next games."

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 19, 2020


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