Austin FC strengthens playoff position with 2-1 win over Seattle Sounders

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Myrto Uzuni scored the game-winning goal in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time, lifting Austin FC 2-1 over the Seattle Sounders in Major League Soccer action Sunday at Q2 Stadium.

Uzuni finished a CJ Fodrey header between two defenders right in front of the goal for his sixth goal of the season, breaking a 1-1 tie. Dani Pereira served a ball into the 6-yard box from slightly beyond the penalty area to Fodrey, who earned his first assist of the season.

Diego Rubio put Verde on the board in the 42nd minute after making a great defensive play and immediately turning it into a goal. Rubio knocked down Jackson Ragen’s attempt to put the ball in Austin’s half of the field and then raced to gather it. He got it ahead of Ragen and another Seattle defender, and then smacked a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Andrew Thomas.

Seattle leveled the match a minute into the second half with a Georgi Minoungou goal.

Austin (12-10-8, 45 points) is in sixth place in the Western Conference, a point behind the Sounders and two ahead of the Portland Timbers with four regular season matches remaining. Austin needs to finish in the top nine of the conference standings to advance to the postseason.

Austin’s all-star goalkeeper, Brad Stuver, was great again, making five saves.

Austin is on the road Saturday against Real Salt Lake before hosting the U.S. Open Cup final Oct. 1 against Nashville.