Three days after qualifying for the Leagues Cup knockout stage, Austin FC couldn’t translate that momentum to MLS play Sunday.
The Verde and Black lost 2-1 to FC Dallas in a rivalry match at at Q2 Stadium, falling eight points out of the final playoff spot in the Western Confernce in the process.
A couple of defensive lapses proved costly to Austin FC.
Joseph Rosales was outmuscled by Lalas Abubakar on a corner kick in first-half stoppage time, which allowed the latter to score on a header, and Guilherme Biro gave Petar Musa too much space defensively late in the second half, letting the Croatian national rip a shot from the top of the box for the goal that was the difference in the match.
Ervin Torres, who continues to impress at 18 years old, scored for Austin FC early in the second half to tie the contest.
Austin FC (4-10-5, 17 points) has another quick turnaround as it plays Wednesday at Seattle.