Austin FC II, reigning champions of MLS NEXT Pro, embarked on their eagerly awaited journey in the esteemed soccer competition with a sold-out spectacle of 1,300 fans at their revered home ground, The Pitch at Parmer Lane. The vibrant atmosphere, fueled by a passionate fanbase filling the stands, set the stage for an enthralling clash as Austin FC II faced off against their rivals for the opening round, FORO SC.
However, it was the amateur side from the Dallas area who would play spoiler, with super sub Kyle Bennett scoring an equalizer in stoppage time of the second extra time period to force penalty kicks. Bennett would then score the deciding goal in the shootout as the UPSL side pulled off the upset, 4-3.
“We knew it would be a very tough game against a very strong opponent and we handled the pressure well,” said FORO SC head coach Michel Garbini. “They probably had a bit more of the possession and we tried to be very organized and minimize chances and for moments we felt we were the danger team on the field and players followed the plan and the result didn’t surprise us.”
FORO SC presented a formidable challenge for the defending champions.
The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as the referee’s whistle heralded the commencement of the match. It didn’t take long for the action to ignite, with Micah Burton of Austin FC II showcasing his prowess and making an early impact, sending waves of excitement through the crowd just five minutes into the encounter. However, FORO SC’s No. 10, Moiad Ankir, swiftly retaliated with a menacing shot in the 21st minute, only to be denied by a spectacular save from Austin goalkeeper, Marcus Alstrup, much to the relief of the home supporters.
Despite FORO SC’s spirited resistance, Austin FC II continued to assert their dominance, with Jonathan Santillan spearheading relentless assaults on the visitor’s defense, keeping them on their toes between the 2nd and 22nd minute mark. However, despite their relentless pressure, the breakthrough remained elusive, with both sides locked in a tense battle for supremacy.
Foro SC do it the hard way ????
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) March 20, 2024
Up against pros (with 10 men) winning on PKs pic.twitter.com/2QxsMsrjiz
As the first half progressed, the pendulum of momentum swung back and forth, with Micah Burton coming agonizingly close to breaking the deadlock for Austin in the 37th minute, only to be thwarted by the resilient defense of FORO SC. However, just when it seemed like the halftime whistle would sound with the deadlock intact, FORO SC seized a golden opportunity in the 38th minute, with Johnathan Rey Sauceda capitalizing on an aerial delivery from Daniel Escorcia to put the visitors ahead, sending shockwaves through the home crowd.
Undeterred by the setback, Austin FC II launched a spirited counteroffensive, with Bryant Farkalarfun coming close to leveling the score in the dying embers of the first half. As the halftime whistle blew, the home team found themselves trailing by a solitary goal, prompting Coach Brett Uttley to rally his troops for a spirited fightback in the second half.
The resumption of play saw Austin FC II emerge with renewed determination, as CJ Fodrey orchestrated a scintillating attacking move that nearly resulted in an equalizer for the hosts in the 48th minute. Despite their relentless onslaught, Austin found themselves frustrated by FORO SC’s resolute defense, with the second half witnessing a flurry of attempts from the home side within the opening minutes.
However, the breakthrough finally arrived in the 52nd minute, as Bryan Arellano’s precision free-kick caused chaos in the FORO SC defense, ultimately leading to a confusing goal credited to Santillan, much to the jubilation of the home faithful, as Austin FC II restored parity.
With the scoreline level, both teams threw caution to the wind in pursuit of a decisive goal, with Austin FC II dictating proceedings and carving out numerous opportunities. Yet, despite their valiant efforts, neither side could find the elusive winner within regular time, setting the stage for a captivating extra-time spectacle.
As the game entered the additional period, fatigue began to set in, but both teams exhibited remarkable resilience, refusing to wilt under pressure. With tensions reaching fever pitch and the prospect of penalties looming large, every moment became fraught with significance.
Glancing header | Advantage, underdogs ????
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) March 20, 2024
Foro SC | #USOC2024 pic.twitter.com/p3YWeLlmBF
“We made a change to take a risk and change the formation which put us a little bit more aggressive forward and taking risks in the back but the players responded really well to the pressure and kept each other accountable,” said Garbini. “On the last play of the game we got what we deserved and after all the fight and persistence, we felt very proud of each other.”
In the nerve-wracking penalty shootout that ensued, Austin’s Fodrey and Alonso Ramirez displayed nerves of steel, converting their spot-kicks with aplomb. However, a miss from Sal Mazaferro provided FORO SC with a lifeline, which they duly capitalized on to emerge victorious, stunning the home crowd and punching their ticket to the next round of the competition.
“We are excited and looking forward for the next game and we all know that the preparation will need to be better than we did because we probably will play a tougher opponent,” said Garbini. “But no matter what happens, I’m very proud of those boys and we want to expose them to these professional teams. I think there’s a lot of talent on this team and they have the tools to play at the pro level.”
Despite the heartbreak of defeat, Austin FC II and their loyal supporters showcased commendable sportsmanship, acknowledging the valiant efforts of their team. Coach Brett Uttley graciously praised the performance of FORO SC and expressed his best wishes for their future endeavors in the tournament, “they competed incredible and you know wish them all the best in the next round” said Uttley.
