Road Woes End for Austin FC With Victory in Seattle

We may never know what music Austin FC had playing in the locker room after its 2-1 win over the Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field Wednesday night, but Etta James would have been an appropriate choice. At laaaaaaaast… Austin FC has won a game on the road.

It took six months and 12 tries, but the Verde and Black no longer hold the distinction as the only MLS club winless away from home in 2026, which was true for an embarrassing amount of weeks. Instead, ATXFC left Seattle with three huge points and some highly encouraging play from some of its slumping top guns.

With the schedule tightening up in a nine-match month of August for Austin FC, interim coach Davy Arnaud deployed almost an entirely rotated squad from the club’s previous match over the weekend, changing 10 of 11 players. The fresh lineup featured several ATX alternates including forward CJ Fodrey, midfielder Jorge Alastuey, defender Jon Bell, and even goalkeeper Damian Las, filling in for Brad Stuver who took his first MLS match off since 2022. 

“We wanted to get Damian a game, and we talked about getting him a game in Leagues Cup,” Arnaud said. “It didn’t work out like that, but Damian’s earned his opportunity. So it was a good chance for him to get a chance to show what he can do. And I thought he had a very good game tonight.”

The 24-year-old did, making six confident saves. And his outfield teammates enjoyed success as well, controlling large stretches of play in the first half and ramping its possession share up over 60%, though without much in the way of scoring chances to show for it.

However, Seattle came out of halftime much better and put Las’ goal under heavy pressure for the first 20 minutes of the second half. But Austin struck back in the 66th minute with a great passing sequence that culminated with a low, driven cross from Žan Kolmanič on the left wing right into the stride of Facundo Torres in the center of Seattle’s penalty box. The Uruguayan DP applied a one-touch finish with his left foot to send the ball past Seattle keeper Andrew Thomas for a 1-0 Verde lead and Torres’ second goal of the season. 

Great connection for the opener!