Continuing their first MLS win in 8 games, Verde and Black were forced to fight tooth and nail in the moment to pull off a purposeless draw, before being pierced by an 89th-minute winning goal from the U. S. World Cup striker. U. S. Jesus Ferreira.
Throughout a physical and entertaining first half in which ATXFC scored a slight merit in terms of scoring opportunities, the table was set for the club to build on its 2-0 US Open Cup win over New Mexico United in midweek. However, in the first nine minutes of the moment, Rodney Redes made two reckless and overzealous tackles that forced Austin-born World Cup veteran and referee Ismail Elfath to draw his red card.
“When you’re in yellow, you have to be smarter and you can’t take the threat at this point. He knows more than that,” coach Josh Wolff said after the match, admitting the two yellow card decisions were the “right calls”.
“Obviously, you know, he will be informed, but he put us in a difficult situation,” Wolff said.
Not only did it send mediocre bloodless water to the Redes escape form (the “Redes-sance,” as some called it), but it was also precisely what Austin FC didn’t want as it struggled its way out of the Western Conference scrap heap.
“A lot of those young players go through pushes where they just want to be informed about how to handle their feelings in games and know about a yellow and not put themselves on a stage for the referee to make a decision,” passer Brad said. Stuver said, “In the end, [Networks] opened up to Ismail to make the decision. “
Even though one man fell, Austin still had a tie in sight as the adjustment entered its final stage. But in the 89th minute, a better ball from Dallas midfielder Tsiki Ntsabeleng connected to a well-timed run by Ferreira, who came on in Austin. The baseline and shot at Stuver’s legs. Ferreira then ditched his jersey and displayed it on the collective face of the ATX fan segment as a parting gift for the stadium where FC Dallas’ season ended in last year’s MLS Cup playoffs.
“For me, it’s more for fun. I’m not looking to be disrespectful to the fans or the team,” Ferreira said. “We know how special derbies are. . . I’m just enjoying the moment and having some fun. “”
Austin FC continues its two-game streak in the week with an away visit against the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday night.
For more facts and research on Austin FC, visit The Austin Chronicle’s Austin FC Hub. Follow “The Verde Report” columnist Eric Goodman on Twitter: @goodman.
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