Moussa Djitté and MLS MVP finalist Sebastián Driussi scored a pair of first-half goals three minutes apart to spur Austin FC to a 2-1 win over FC Dallas in the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Semifinal on Sunday night at Q2 Stadium. Austin advances to the Western Conference Final, where it will play Los Angeles FC at Banc of California Stadium next Sunday, October 30.
The attendance of 20,738 at Q2 Stadium was Austin FC’s 36th-consecutive MLS home sellout, extending the league’s longest-active streak.
Austin started the better of the two teams, controlling the ball and the chances throughout the opening stages. Josh Wolff’s side was rewarded for its enterprising play with goals in the 26th and 29th minutes.
Djitté opened the scoring after the ball fell to him following a corner kick, and Driussi doubled the advantage. The Argentine won the ball himself, beat multiple defenders off the dribble, and fired an accurate low strike to the far post to make it 2-0 with half-an-hour played.
Alan Velasco scored one for the visitors 20 minutes into the second half. Diego Fagundez and Driussi then forced two great saves from Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes.
Brad Stuver made a fantastic save of his own in the closing minutes to preserve Austin’s lead, and the Verde & Black saw out the victory.
THREE THINGS
- LEADING THE WAY: Driussi’s goal was his 25th of the season, the most of any MLS player across the regular season and playoffs. He has scored in four consecutive matches.
- SET PIECE MAGIC: Austin led MLS in goals scored from set pieces during the regular season, and got another one against Dallas.
- SELLOUT STREAK: The attendance of 20,738 at Q2 Stadium was Austin FC’s 36th-consecutive MLS home sellout, extending the league’s longest-active streak.
UP NEXT
Austin FC will face Los Angeles FC in the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Final at Banc of California Stadium on Sunday, October 30. The match will kick off at 2:00 pm CT/12:00 p.m. PT and will feature national television broadcasts on ABC in English and ESPN3 in Spanish. On radio, the match will be broadcast on KASE-FM (ALT 97.5) in English, as well as on TUDN Radio Austin (104.3-HD2, KLQB) in Spanish.
