Austin FC II eliminated in heartbreaking fashion
The majority of Austin FC II’s players can’t buy a beer, and if they haven’t experienced heartbreak personally yet, they certainly did professionally Tuesday night.
Playing in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup, Austin FC II gave up the tying goal in stoppage time of extra time and lost on penalties 2-2 (4-3) to Foro SC at Parmer Field to be bounced out of the country’s oldest soccer competition.
“It’s a hard pill to swallow when we’re up, the other team is down a man and we had the ball the whole game,” said left winger CJ Fodrey, who was arguably the best player on the field and along with midfielder Micah Burton is a reserve on the first team being loaned to the second team.
“As a younger group, we have to take this with a grain of salt but also be able to build on it.”
As in most soccer games where a team dominates possession and still loses, Austin FC II didn’t finish its numerous scoring chances. It arguably could have been ahead 3-0 at halftime, but it trailed 1-0 after a brilliant flick-header late in the first half by Foro SC midfielder Jonathan Sauceda.
Jonathan Santillan finished Burton’s free kick from just outside the box to tie the game in the 53rd minute, and Austin FC II missed a few chances in the box prior to Foro SC going down to 10 men following a red card to Ivan Muanze-Bengono.
Sebastien Pineau finished a loose ball in the box to give the Verde and Black a 2-1 lead in the 105th minute, but Austin FC II didn’t control the ball enough with a man advantage in extra time to produce more opportunities.
Austin FC II’s inability to score more cost it when, with the game seconds from being over, Kyle Bennett headed in a cross from the right side that tied the game and stunned the crowd of more than 1,200.
Bennett also provided the gamewinning penalty slightly before 11 p.m. to send the amateur side from Dallas through to the second round after Austin FC II didn’t convert its second and fifth penalties.