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MLS Austin FC

Austin FC Falls 3-2 to Houston Dynamo FC in First Preseason La Copita Match

April 3, 2021 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Austin FC News Release


Austin, Texas - In its first-ever preseason match against an MLS opponent, Austin FC fell to the Houston Dynamo 3-2 at St. David's Performance Center on Saturday. The match was Austin's first of the La Copita preseason tournament.

Tomás Pochettino scored ATXFC's first goal in the 16th minute, lining up a free kick from just a few yards outside the box. The 25-year-old found the near-side top corner to beat Houston 'keeper Marko Marić and give Austin a quick lead.

The Dynamo were able to find an equalizer in the 54th minute through Fafa Picault. The forward took down an awkward ball over the top and found himself behind the Austin backline. He finished past an onrushing goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell to level the match. Houston took the lead just two minutes later after Matias Vera found himself in a dangerous position out wide and swung in a cross to a wide open Maxi Urruti.

Rodney Redes equalized for the home side 10 minutes later, finishing with a diving header after Marić was unable to control a swerving Alex Ring shot from distance. The goalkeeper pushed his save right into Redes' path and the winger finished with ease.

Picualt got his second goal of the day for Houston in the 71st minute after picking up a long ball from Urruti, and finishing with a low shot into the back of the net. Austin applied some pressure as subs entered, and Kekuta Manneh almost found Austin's third but ATXFC ultimately fell short.

Austin FC will travel to Toyota Stadium to face FC Dallas on Wednesday, April 7, starting at 4:00pm CDT, in the second match of the inaugural La Copita preseason tournament. Austin will finish off the tournament next Saturday, April 10, against San Antonio FC at 4:00pm CDT at St. David's Performance Center. That match will be streamed on the Austin FC app, which is available to download now from the iTunes store and Google Play.

Austin FC: GK: Tarbell; Lima, Romaña (Cascante 64'), Besler, Sweat (Jimenez 64'); Pereira (Wolff 75'), Ring (C) (Berhalter 75'), Pochettino (Fagundez 64'); Redes (Stroud 75'), Hoesen (Gallagher 64'), Dominguez (Manneh 75')

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