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USL Austin Bold FC

Stoppage Time Fabien Garcia Goal Seals 2-1 Victory over RGVFC

June 17, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Austin Bold FC News Release


Austin, TX - Austin Bold FC came back from a 0-1 deficit to defeat Mountain Division foes Rio Grande Valley FC 2-1 at H-E-B Park in Edinburg, TX. The Bold fell behind to the home side after Alexis Cerriotos pounced on a loose ball and slotted home the night's first goal. Second-half substitute Ugo Okoli brought the match level with a perfectly placed left-footed shot from outside the box and past the RGV goalkeeper. It was Fabien Garcia who found the game-winner deep into stoppage time from a free-kick opportunity. The defender's long distanced and dripping goal sealed all three points for The Bold. Your neighborhood soccer club finishes their four-game road trip this Saturday against Birmingham Legion on ESPN+.

Cerritos broke the deadlock and put Rio Grande Valley FC in the lead in the 21'. RGV midfielder Sorto delivered a ball into the box from a free-kick opportunity. Adrian Vera got on the end of Sorto's cross and his header ricocheted off the post. Cerritos latched onto the loose ball to score with a right-footed goal to the bottom left corner from a very close range.

Austin Bold's Okoli brought the match level in the 55' after coming on as a substitute during halftime. Owayne Gordon wiggled out of the RGV defense to find Okoli. The striker took one touch and smashed in a left-foot shot from distance. The perfectly placed shot was just out of reach of RGV goalkeeper Deric and brought the match level at 1-1.

Defender Garcia ended the night in a dramatic fashion in the 90'+6 with a free-kick. The French defender stepped up to the ball after the referee awarded Bold a free-kick a few meters outside the box. Garcia curled a gorgeous right-footed shot to the bottom left corner to send The Bold back to Austin with all three points.

Austin Bold FC returns to Bold Stadium on June 22 at 8:00 PM to take on Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. 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:

Head Coach Marcelo Serrano on his halftime talk that fueled Austin's comeback.

"There wasn't any big talk at halftime. We just reminded the players that they are a good team and have been playing well. We know we have the character that we've built over the preseason, that we could come back in games like this. I just had to remind them to stay organized and take our opportunities when they were presented. When the game gives. You have to take."

Serrano on Fabien Garcia's performance and goal.

"Fabien has been playing incredibly well for the past two seasons. Tonight's big moment was just the reward for all that hard work. He's a leader in the locker room and a leader on the field. For him to step up in a crucial moment was amazing. He deserved that moment. It couldn't have happened to a better player and person."

Striker Ugo Okoli on scoring Austin's first goal as a substitute.

"I've always been a guy who wants that responsibility. The challenge of helping my team every single game. Today was another opportunity to try and give my best for the team. As a group, we showed great character and that was what helped us get the three points tonight."

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 17, 2021


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