For the first time in its history, Austin FC has qualified for a tournament final and the chance to lift a major American soccer trophy. The Verde and Black defeated Minnesota United 2-1 in a U.S Open Cup semifinal in dramatic fashion, scoring the winning goal in the final minute of extra time and stunning at Allianz Field’s “Wonderwall.”
Substitute CJ Fodrey, for the second time in the club’s last three matches, came on late to score the winning goal and lead the celebrations as Austin set up a date with Nashville SC on October 1 at Q2 Stadium, for the right to be crowned champions of the 111-year-old competition.
Austin took the pitch in Minnesota sporting a unique starting lineup which featured a back three of Brendan Hines-Ike, Julio Cascante, and Mateja Djordjević in front of Brad Stuver in goal. The formation worked to keep Minnesota’s potent attackers off the scoresheet in the first half.
In the 24th minute, Austin narrowly avoided disaster as Osman Bukari kicked out his boot toward the knee of Loons defender Anthony Markanich in a David Beckham-esque moment of stupidity. Fortunately for Bukari, the card referee Alexis Da Silva brandished was yellow, not red.
And to the Ghanaian’s credit, he made his reprieve count. In the final seconds of the first half Owen Wolff sent Bukari chasing after a long ball in behind Minnesota’s defense. Bukari won the footrace, took a touch toward the near post, then fired a shot through the legs of All-Star Minnesota keeper Dayne St. Clair for the opening goal.
Both teams failed to convert on good chances in the first portion of the second half. But in the 67th minute, Minnesota drew level thanks to a spectacular free kick from Joaquín Pereyra, who curled his shot from 25 yards out around Austin’s wall with pace, giving Stuver no chance to even make a dive on the ball as it nestled into the top corner.
After 90 minutes couldn’t separate the teams tied at 1-1, the semifinalists played out a tense extra time period and seemed destined to settle things in a penalty shootout. Minnesota’s players might have been resigned to that outcome, but Austin’s certainly weren’t. After nearly two hours of play, the Verde and Black put together one final push toward goal that made the difference.
Diego Rubio began things with a well-placed pass toward Jon Gallagher in space on the right wing. Gallagher then played an accurate cross, giving Myrto Uzuni a free header, which the Albanian international directed on goal. St. Clair was equal to the effort but couldn’t parry the ball any further than Fodrey, who raised his left foot for a waist-high finish and the deciding goal.
“I blacked out. I’ll be honest,” Fodrey said. “I mean, looking at our traveling fans, it was amazing. So I think that’s when I kind of got the consciousness back. And just like, it’s amazing, man. It’s awesome.”
The moment clearly meant a lot for Austin FC coach Nico Estévez as well, who got the rare chance to celebrate a monumental goal without the typical handful of stressful minutes that follow before the final whistle sounds.
“I just let it go, you know? I mean, I’m a human also. I’m a very passionate guy for this sport.” Estévez said. “I believe a lot in these players. I believe a lot in this team.”
Estévez will hope to take his team one step further and knock off Nashville. Luckily for him, he’ll have the support of 20,000 Verde fans behind him to do it.
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.
