Aztex Unable to Hold off Los Dos Rally
August 15, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Austin Aztex News Release
Austin, Texas - A strong first half put Austin in a controlling lead at halftime, but a late flurry of attacks would allow Los Angeles to steal a 3-2 victory Saturday evening at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex. With two goals scored in the game's final minutes, Los Dos completed a remarkable comeback to leave Austin with a win.
Austin came out of the gates firing, eager to get a goal after being shutout in their last two matches. Austin dominated possession early, with two free kicks in the first 10 minutes and an 11-1 shot advantage over Los Dos in the first half. One key moment of the game came in the third minute when the referee issues a yellow card to Galaxy goalkeeper Andrew Wolverton for fouling Trevin Caesar on a one-on-one at the edge of the penalty area.
Caesar would continue to get things started in the 26th minute when he approached the box with space in front of him. Caesar looked to pass, but fired from 28 yards out, chipping the ball over the fingertips of L.A. goalkeeper Andrew Wolverton and into the upper left corner of the net to put the Aztex up 1-0.
The aggressive play for Austin didn't relent after the opening goal. Just seven minutes later, Caesar took the ball into Galaxy territory up the right side and sent a flat cross into the box. L.A. midfielder Jaime Villarreal slid to intercept the pass, but was called for a handball, giving a penalty kick to Austin. Defender Fernando Timbo converted the PK to put Austin up 2-0 in the 35th minute. Both teams would get chances in the final minutes of the first half, but the match went into the break with a score of 2-0 for Austin.
Los Dos carried a sense of urgency into the second half, firing four early shots on goal at goalkeeper Devin Perales. Perales made saves on the first three, but was beaten in the 61st minute to break the shutout. Following a penalty, L.A. quickly restarted play and caught the Aztex defense off guard. Forward Bryan Olivera lobbed the ball in to Jack McBean in front of the net, who flicked a shot over the hands of a diving Devin Perales and into the back of the net to bring the score to 2-1 Austin.
With Austin in a must-win situation to keep their playoff hopes alive, and L.A fearing a slide out of the top 6, play intensified going down the stretch. Los Dos held possession for the final 10 minutes, with Austin hanging on to the lead. The defense buckled to the mounting pressure in the 87th minute, when a chaotic scramble in front of the net resulted in a goal for Galaxy II defender Bradley Diallo. A rush of attacks followed the equalizer, with L.A. getting an extra time winner to steal the victory. A volleyed shot attempt from Rey Ortiz bounced into the ground and over the Aztex defense, where forward Jack McBean was there to clean up the mess, tapping the ball into the left side of the net for his second goal of the game.
Austin will continue their season next Saturday at home against Orange County Blues FC, and will look to play spoiler for a Blues team hoping to capture a top seed. Los Dos move on to face Seattle Sounders FC 2 next Sunday in Los Angeles.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 15, 2015
- Aztex Unable to Hold off Los Dos Rally - Austin Aztex
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- Battery Draw Saint Louis FC 1-1 Behind Late Heroics from Cordoves - Charleston Battery
- Rochester Tops Wilmington 2:1 - Rochester Rhinos
- Late Hounds Lapse Gifts Point to Charlotte - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Late Goal from Finley Earns Charlotte a Point in Pittsburgh - Charlotte Independence
- Kickers Suffer 2-1 Loss to Toronto FC II - Richmond Kickers
- Switchbacks Get a Draw at Home - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- Republic FC get two goals in the last ten minutes to earn a point at Sand Creek Stadium - Sacramento Republic FC
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