Late Atlanta Goal Robs Austin FC of Needed Win

Austin FC defender Guilherme Biro whips a pass around Atlanta United forward Miguel Almirón during a 1-1 draw at Q2 Stadium (credit: Austin FC)

Austin FC watched a win evaporate into the 90-some degree nighttime air Wednesday at Q2 Stadium, as the Verde and Black drew 1-1 with struggling Eastern Conference foe Atlanta United thanks to a stoppage time equalizer that denied Austin its first MLS win in five games.

Here are our takeaways from the match:

Felt Like A Loss

After a first half highlighted by a pair of big one-on-one saves – first by Atlanta’s Brad Guzan on Myrto Uzuni, then later by Austin’s own Brad, Mr. Stuver, on Miguel Almirón – ended goalless, Austin FC took a 1-0 lead in the 55th minute off a terrific free kick from Brandon Vazquez.

Brandon Vázquez with a pinpoint free kick that puts Austin FC up on Atlanta 🎯

📺 #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/HTUvMCK4wE pic.twitter.com/g9qpl2hOvf

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 15, 2025

“As soon as I got the ball, I knew exactly where I wanted to put it. And if I put it there, it would be a goal. And that's exactly what I did,” Vazquez said.

Following the goal, though, Austin FC failed to create any high-quality looks at doubling the lead and potentially putting the game out of reach. Instead, the club nursed its one-goal advantage into stoppage time, when a quick strike goal started by Guzan and finished off by Atlanta substitute Jamal Thiaré leveled things up and cost Austin FC two valuable points.

“Right now it feels like a loss,” defender Jon Gallagher said postgame. “Tough one to take, and doesn't feel nice.”

Vazquez expressed a similar sentiment.

Battling the Heat

The Texas summer sizzle came early this year, and while there’s a narrative out there that warm-climate-based clubs can use the hot weather to their advantage, the reality is nobody benefits from playing in near triple digits.

Wednesday night’s match had to be moved from a 7:30pm kickoff to 8pm start to avoid the sun, and hydration breaks were incorporated into the match for the first time all season.

Gallagher could barely see straight after completing his third 90-minute shift in seven days.

“Honestly, I'm a little dizzy right now just because I'm so dehydrated. Put in a big shift,” the Irishman said.

Recover and Rally

A murderous May schedule continues for the Verde and Black as soon as Saturday, when ATX hosts the West-leading Vancouver Whitecaps at Q2 Stadium in what projects to be another brutally hot evening affair.

When last the two clubs met back in April, Vancouver humbled a then-thriving Austin club 5-1, setting in motion a multi-week skid that Austin FC is still trying to shake.

“We know what happened in Vancouver, and a lot of us still have a really sour taste about what happened there, so we want to make sure that we're ready,” Stuver said.

For more Austin FC news and analysis, visit The Austin Chronicle's Austin FC hub. Follow The Verde Report columnist Eric Goodman on X: @goodman.