Austin FC forward Gyasi Zardes scores his second goal of the game in a 2-1 win over NYCFC. (credit: Austin FC)
A vintage performance from one of Major League Soccer’s greatest scorers lifted Austin FC to a 2-1 comeback win over New York City FC on a rainy Saturday night at Q2 Stadium.
attacker Probably Zardesmaking just his fifth start in 2024, scored a pair of sharp-looking goals – his first two of the season – to help the Verde and Black secure their eighth win of the year.
Storms delayed the opening whistle for nearly 90 minutes. When it came, the ATXFC players, although physically present on the field, mentally still appeared in the dressing room. NYCFC dominated the early part of the match, scoring the opener in the fifth minute thanks in large part to Austin’s reckless defending in the penalty area.
The hosts finally regained control around the 15 minute mark, almost equalizing through the foot of Jáder Obrian, if not for a solid save from NYC goalkeeper Matt Freese.
However, it looked like Austin would be headed back to the locker room late in the first half at home. But in stoppage time, Alex Ring freed O’Brien with an accurate long ball down the left wing. The winger took a touch, then curled a perfect cross towards Freese’s far post, where Zardes met him with a pinpoint header to level things.
Gyasi Zardes equalises. 👀@AustinFC level right before the break. pic.twitter.com/iviaFh5nE0
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 7, 2024
ATX goalie Brad Stuver was called upon to make two crucial saves early in the second half.
But in the 69th minute, Owen Wolff danced around a NYC defender, then found Zardes with a clever 18-yard ball. Zardes, from a tight angle with a defender right on his hip, produced an inch-perfect finish to beat Freese and ricochet the ball off the far post and into the net.
Gyasi Zardes BRACE! 🔥@AustinFC take a late lead at Q2 Stadium! pic.twitter.com/U2qhc46cps
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 7, 2024
“I practice this finish a lot,” Zardes said. “I assume the goalkeeper will cover the near post because that’s the corner closest to me. So I’m thinking he’s going to switch and when he moves, I’m trying to get down and away from the post.”
The goals were Zardes’ 104th and 105th of his MLS career, moving him into the all-time top 10 among the league’s most prolific scorers. They also provided a much-needed boost to a disappointing season for the 32-year-old.
“Personally, you know, I’ve been trying to score since the first game of the season and it hasn’t come,” Zardes said. “But you have to keep your head down. You have to keep working. And of course, you know, the goals came tonight.”
ATXFC shut down the remaining 20 minutes of the game to secure a valuable three points and a tape back in the Western Conference playoff picture with a dozen games remaining in the regular season.
“Momentum is a big word we talk about,” coach Josh Wolff said. “I think you can capitalize when you have that moment.”
“Guys continue to persevere, grind and find ways to get results, and we have to keep pushing.”
Austin FC will take on Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, July 13 at Q2 Stadium.
For more Austin FC news and analysis, visit The Austin ChronicleS ‘ Austin FC Center. Follow The Verde Report columnist Eric Goodman at X: @goodman.
