Behind Driussi's late goal, Austin FC tops Minnesota 2-1
It was a fairytale return for Sebastian Driussi.
Austin FC’s best player scored the game winner Wednesday night in El Tree’s 2-1 victory over Minnesota United FC at Q2 Stadium, his first appearance since suffering a groin injury in late April.
Jon Gallagher gave Austin FC a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute before the Loons quickly tied the game seven minutes later when Joseph Rosales finished a breakaway.
Here are some thoughts from the match as Austin FC (5-6-4, 19 points) has a quick turnaround as it welcomes Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
More: Injury bug bites Austin FC again during Copa Texas setback at Houston
Sebastian Driussi is a difference maker
El Tree is a different team with Driussi, as his mere presence on the field provides a threat, attention from the opposing defense and opens up opportunities for other players.
He subbed in on the 61st minute and immediately made a ridiculous back-heel pass that only players of his caliber can.
While he’s still a couple of weeks away from being able to start, it’s a jolt in the arm for the club to simply have him available.
In his absence, Austin FC has generally played well, and assuming he and fellow midfielder Diego Fagundez can stay healthy, it sets up El Tree for the possibility of making a run in the second half of the season.
Man of the match: Brad Stuver
This choice may seem odd in a game that wasn’t a shutout, but Stuver’s performance gave Austin FC the win.
As he has done many times this season, Stuver came to the rescue when needed.
His performance in stoppage time was all-star worthy and he saved at least three Minnesota shots that would have tied the game.
Jon Gallagher was great again
No one would have picked Jon Gallagher as the team’s leading scorer 15 games into the season, but here we are and the native of Ireland leads the team with five goals.
Gallagher’s strike off a precise cross from Adam Lundkvist was nothing short of brilliant, and he’s easily lived up to the new contract he was given in the offseason.
I had a discussion with a fellow media member in the press box about whether Gallagher should be getting a look from Ireland's national team to come off the bench at the various positions he is capable of playing.
Some rare defensive missteps for El Tree
Austin FC’s defense on Minnesota’s goal left a bit to be desired.
Alex Ring was overly aggressive on a challenge in Minnesota’s half of the field and got turned, which allowed the long through ball that eventually led to the Loons’ score.
El Tree also played a very high back line in the first half, which opened it up to threats from Minnesota’s speedy attacking players and ultimately was part of why the visitors scored.
Q2 was a sellout? Didn't pass the eye test
A running joke among the press corps is the sellout streak that Austin FC insists keeps taking place.
Anyone with eyes and common sense knows a true Q2 sellout hasn’t happened in at least two months, and this match had at least 3,000 empty seats.
The club is a wild success in terms of attendance — especially in the MLS — and popularity, but the insistence on announcing a sellout streak that clearly isn’t happening in terms of people in seats borders on silly.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Sebastian Driussi, Jon Gallagher score as Austin FC tops Minnesota 2-1
