Austin FC ties 2-2 with Philadelphia for third consecutive draw

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC scored twice in the second half but couldn’t grab its first win in a 2-2 draw with the Philadelphia Union on Saturday at Q2 Stadium.

Diego Rubio and Jon Gallagher connected for goals two minutes apart in the second half to give Verde and Black a 2-1 lead. Rubio, signed as a free agent during the preseason, scored his first goal in 2024 in the 56th minute. Rubio headed home a Hector Jimenez cross to draw Austin level at 1-1, then Gallagher precisely placed a shot with his right foot by Union goalkeeper Andre Blake for a 2-1 lead in the 58th minute. Owen Wolff sent the ball across the box and Alex Ring redirected it to Gallagher’s foot.

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Head coach Josh Wolff said Jimenez’s play on the back line was crucial and loved how he came up and helped initiate some of the attack.

“We’re a little shorthanded in certain areas, fullback is one of them, but Hector came in and did a great job,” he said. “He has full understanding of what we’re trying to do, and from a mindset standpoint to read the game and understand what’s needed, he did a great job.”

Philadelphia’s Mikael Uhre spoiled the night for Austin, equalizing in the 65th minute. He was in the right place at the right time on the back post as Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver deflected the initial cross, but he didn’t get enough of the ball. It rolled to Uhre who calmly slid it by Julio Cascante and Jimenez.

Philadelphia took a 1-0 lead into halftime after Ring was whistled for a handball in the penalty area, then Daniel Gadzag converted the penalty kick in the 13th minute. Ring’s violation wasn’t initially called in the run of play but was awarded via VAR review.

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Sebastian Driussi made his season debut for Austin FC as a substitute in the 71st minute and had a chance at the game-winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time, but his attempt missed to the right. Wolff had a break a minute earlier, but his shot was deflected and went out for a corner kick.

“We’ve been in position to win two of these games,” Wolff said. The other was last week’s 2-2 draw against St. Louis City FC. “We’ve got to finish these games out. We have to continue to grind and push.”

Philadelphia played a physical match, racking up 19 fouls and six yellow cards while Austin was whistled for 12 fouls and three cautions. Stuver made five saves.

Austin (0-3-1, 3 points) has tied its last three matches after dropping the season opener to Minnesota. Austin hits the road March 23 to take on Orlando City. Philadelphia (0-3-0, 3 points) goes across the country to take on Portland next week.

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