HOUSTON (KXAN) — Austin FC fell en route to the Houston Dynamo 2-0 on Saturday at Shell Energy Stadium.
Amine Bassi connected on a 71st-minute penalty kick for Houston following a handball in the penalty area by Austin FC defender Adam Lundkvist. Hector Herrera put the match off in the 86th minute after his left-footed shot went past Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver. Griffen Dorsey fed a short cross into the center of the box for Herrera, and then beat Stuver down the left side.
Austin FC lose 3-2 on aggregate to Violette AC in the first round of the CONCACAF Champions League
It was Houston’s first win of the season and gives them an early lead in the Copa Tejas standings.
Austin FC came close to scoring in the 12th minute, but Maxi Urruti’s header rang out at the right post after a fine cross from Jon Gallagher. Houston goaltender Steve Clark was injured in the first half, but played and saved on all five of Austin’s shots on target.
- Austin FC midfielder Jhojan Valencia, left, carries the ball past Houston Dynamo midfielders Artur, center, and Hector Herrera, right, during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 18, 2023, at Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
- Austin FC midfielder Emiliano Rigoni, left, attempts a shot on goal against Houston Dynamo midfielder Artur, right, as Hector Herrera and Griffin Dorsey, center, look on during the first half of an MLS soccer match , Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
- Houston Dynamo midfielder Amine Bassi (8) is grabbed by Austin FC midfielder Daniel Pereira (6) as they chase the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
- Austin FC forward Maxi Urruti, left, passes the ball past Houston Dynamo forward Tate Schmitt, right, during the first half of an MLS soccer game Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
- Houston Dynamo forward Ivan Franco (7) attempts to block a forward drive by Austin FC defender Zan Kolmanic (23) during the first half of an MLS soccer game on Saturday, March 18, 2023 in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
- Austin FC defender Leo Vaisanen, second from right, collides with Houston Dynamo goaltender Steve Clark (12) as Clark makes a save during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
- Houston Dynamo midfielder Amine Bassi, right, mimics a bow and arrow as he celebrates his goal from a free kick against Austin FC during the second half of an MLS soccer match on Saturday, March 18, 2023 in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
- Houston Dynamo midfielder Amine Bassi scores on a penalty kick against Austin FC during the second half of an MLS soccer match on Saturday, March 18, 2023 in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
- Houston Dynamo midfielder Hector Herrera, left, attempts a shot on goal in front of forward Sebastian Ferreira (9) and Austin FC midfielder Alexander Ring (8) during the second half of an MLS soccer match on Saturday, March 18 2023 in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
- Houston Dynamo midfielders Hector Herrera, left, and Adalberto Carrasquilla hug after a Herrera goal against Austin FC during the second half of an MLS soccer match on Saturday, March 18, 2023 in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
- Houston Dynamo forward Ivan Franco falls next to Austin FC forward Diego Fagundez (14) as he tries to win a header during the second half of an MLS soccer match on Saturday, March 18, 2023 in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
- Houston Dynamo head coach Ben Olsen yells at players during the first half of the team’s MLS soccer game against Austin FC on Saturday, March 18, 2023 in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
- Austin FC defender Zan Kolmanic, right, moves the ball against Houston Dynamo forward Ivan Franco during the second half of an MLS soccer game on Saturday, March 18, 2023 in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
- Austin FC defender Adam Lundqvist, left, tackles Houston Dynamo forward Ivan Franco (7) during the second half of an MLS soccer game Saturday March 18, 2023 in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
- Austin FC midfielder Daniel Pereira, left, kicks the ball past Houston Dynamo forward Corey Baird (11) during the second half of an MLS soccer game on Saturday, March 18, 2023 in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
- Houston Dynamo midfielder Amine Bassi, left, pulls over Austin FC forward Jon Gallagher, right, as Gallagher moves the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match on Saturday, March 18, 2023 in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Austin held 52% of possession but were beaten 15-13 and 7-5 in shots on target. Houston had seven corners to Austin’s four, and Houston was called for 14 fouls and two yellow cards. Austin FC committed 12 fouls and received three yellow cards. Leo Väisänen, Diego Fagundez and Lundkvist were all placed in the referee’s disciplinary book.
Austin FC (2-2-0, 6 points) returns to play March 25 at home against the winless Colorado Rapids.
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