Myrto Uzuni delivered the decisive double as Austin FC came from behind to beat Sporting Kansas City 2–1 at Sporting Park on Saturday, October 24. Stephen Afrifa put the hosts ahead in the 55th minute, but Uzuni answered in the 64th before striking again in the 86th to secure all three points in this Major League Soccer fixture.
Afrifa breaks the deadlock
A goalless first half left both sides searching for a breakthrough. Kwaku Agyabeng went into the referee’s book in the 21st minute, followed by Austin’s Mikkel Desler and Sporting’s Jacob Davis in the 37th.
The bookings continued after the interval, with Afrifa, Ilie Sánchez and Zorhan Bassong all cautioned before the opening goal arrived. Afrifa then made the telling contribution for Sporting, finding the net in the 55th minute to give the home side a 1–0 lead.
It was an advantage Sporting could not hold for long. Nine minutes later, Uzuni equalized with his first goal of the evening, bringing Austin level in the 64th minute and setting up a finely balanced closing stretch.
Uzuni turns a draw into victory
With the sides still level heading into the final minutes of regulation, a draw remained a possibility. Uzuni changed that in the 86th minute, adding his second goal to complete Austin’s comeback and leave Sporting with little time to respond.
The visitors saw out the remaining minutes, including nine minutes of stoppage time, to claim a hard-earned away victory.
Austin make their accuracy count
Sporting finished with more attempts, taking 19 shots to Austin’s 13, but the visitors were more accurate: eight of Austin’s efforts were on target, compared with five for the hosts. Austin also held 55.4 percent possession and won five corners to Sporting’s two.
Those figures underline the frustration for Kansas City. They generated the greater volume of shots and took the lead, yet Austin’s sharper return in front of goal — led by Uzuni’s two decisive interventions — settled the contest.
Up next
Both clubs return to MLS action on Wednesday, October 28. Sporting Kansas City face Minnesota United FC, while Austin FC take on Real Salt Lake, with both fixtures scheduled for 5:30 p.m. PDT.
