An ill-timed handball leading to a penalty kick turned out to be the deciding goal in a match that was fun for neutrals.
An early goal from Hennadii Synchuk was matched by Myrto Uzuni late in the first half, but a Dante Sealy goal right before halftime and a Prince Owusu penalty kick kept Austin FC from knocking CF Montréal out of the 2025 MLS playoff race.
The Canadian hosts got a 3-2 win over their Texas guests at Stade Saputo in La Métropole on Samedi soir, keeping their very slim playoff hopes alive and chipping away a bit at Austin's more robust playoff hopes.
Owusu looked his threatening self early, but it was actually the 19-year-old Synchuk getting free in Verde's final third, with Myrto Uzuni's errant pass springing Olger Escobar free, who then found Synchuk with a downfield pass to get him within reach of goal. Synchuk then evaded Brendan Hines-Ike's flatfooted defensive attempt on the way to getting an open shot to go in for the match's opening goal in just the 9th minute.
Synchuk nearly got a second from distance in the 16th minute, sending the shot just over, contributing to a game stage in which CFM got the match's first six shots before Verde finally got one via Uzuni's sliding attempt in the 24th minute.
Uzuni would finally get Verde on the board in the 40th minute, with Mikkel Desler getting parallel to him near the goalmouth, and sending in a short cross that Uzuni was able to head in, wedging in between 21-year-old goalkeeper Thomas Gillier and defender Efraín Morales (a 21-year-old supplemental player) to get into position. (Uzuni's still not doing goal celebrations, by the way.)
But CFM would get another goal in first-half stoppage time, with Dawid Bugaj (also 21) sending in a cross to Dante Sealy; the former FC Dallas player (who Austin FC head coach Nico Estévez once coached) beat Desler in the box and then beat Stuver with his shot.
Estévez made an uncustomary halftime sub, bringing in Nicolás Dubersarsky for a flagging Ilie Sánchez, but Montréal kept up its attack while Verde flagged.
Just about halfway through the second half, Montréal was able to score again, with Desler awkwardly extending his arm as a ball was being kicked into the box. That ball struck Desler, it was an easy penalty call, and Owusu finally got his name on the scoresheet with a well-taken PK.
Owen Wolff provided some hope in the 77th minute with his second goal in as many matches (and his fourth of the season). Wolff then risked getting a second yellow for a post-goal fracas in which he tried to grab the ball from Victor Loturi, who was beaten on the play and then retaliated by holding the ball inside the goal and not giving it up, not even for referee Allen Chapman who arrived on the scene to award Loturi a yellow for his antics; he also gave one to Gillier for getting into a push fight with Wolff. (If Wolff didn't have a yellow already, he likely would have gotten a yellow here.)
Best Verde moment (that wasn’t a goal)
Maybe it wasn't even going in, but let's salute Osman Bukari for getting off a 38th-minute shot that tested Gillier and got Austin's offense to come to life for an essential goal.
Worst Verde moment (that wasn't a goal allowed)
Again, a penalty kick foul is not technically a goal allowed, because the penalty taker still has to make the shot. But, my word, that extended arm from Desler for the handball was horrific.
One thing you might have missed
Austin FC legend Brandan Craig got into the match in the 63rd minute. (Craig was loaned to Verde by the Union in 2023 for an international spot and $125,000 in GAM. Craig never saw the field for Austin, but only played in one match for the Union. He's now played in 18 for CFM.)
One nerdy tidbit
It bears repeating: Montréal got the first six shots of the match — eventually winning the shots battle 13-11.
Where this fits into the season's narrative
In losing, Verde failed to get a road win against a Wooden Spoon-contending opponent and bring their away point total equal to their home point total. Though this is their first loss in six matches (dating back to June 28), they've also gotten two points out of a possible nine against three teams currently below the playoff places.
A question we have heading into the press conference
I'm curious as why it took so long for Austin to find any kind of offensive cohesion; even Bukari seemed stymied by CFM's defense early.
Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. You can comment here if you’re a subscriber, or reach out via Bluesky.
If you think Austin FC has trouble finishing out seasons, we have math to prove you right. Perhaps this season will reverse a trend ... but it's not happening thus far.
An early goal from Hennadii Synchuk was matched by Myrto Uzuni late in the first half, but a Dante Sealy goal right before halftime and a Prince Owusu penalty kick kept Austin FC from knocking CF Montréal out of the 2025 MLS playoff race.
The Canadian hosts got a 3-2 win over their Texas guests at Stade Saputo in La Métropole on Samedi soir, keeping their very slim playoff hopes alive and chipping away a bit at Austin's more robust playoff hopes.
Owusu looked his threatening self early, but it was actually the 19-year-old Synchuk getting free in Verde's final third, with Myrto Uzuni's errant pass springing Olger Escobar free, who then found Synchuk with a downfield pass to get him within reach of goal. Synchuk then evaded Brendan Hines-Ike's flatfooted defensive attempt on the way to getting an open shot to go in for the match's opening goal in just the 9th minute.
Synchuk nearly got a second from distance in the 16th minute, sending the shot just over, contributing to a game stage in which CFM got the match's first six shots before Verde finally got one via Uzuni's sliding attempt in the 24th minute.
Uzuni would finally get Verde on the board in the 40th minute, with Mikkel Desler getting parallel to him near the goalmouth, and sending in a short cross that Uzuni was able to head in, wedging in between 21-year-old goalkeeper Thomas Gillier and defender Efraín Morales (a 21-year-old supplemental player) to get into position. (Uzuni's still not doing goal celebrations, by the way.)
But CFM would get another goal in first-half stoppage time, with Dawid Bugaj (also 21) sending in a cross to Dante Sealy; the former FC Dallas player (who Austin FC head coach Nico Estévez once coached) beat Desler in the box and then beat Stuver with his shot.
Estévez made an uncustomary halftime sub, bringing in Nicolás Dubersarsky for a flagging Ilie Sánchez, but Montréal kept up its attack while Verde flagged.
Just about halfway through the second half, Montréal was able to score again, with Desler awkwardly extending his arm as a ball was being kicked into the box. That ball struck Desler, it was an easy penalty call, and Owusu finally got his name on the scoresheet with a well-taken PK.
Owen Wolff provided some hope in the 77th minute with his second goal in as many matches (and his fourth of the season). Wolff then risked getting a second yellow for a post-goal fracas in which he tried to grab the ball from Victor Loturi, who was beaten on the play and then retaliated by holding the ball inside the goal and not giving it up, not even for referee Allen Chapman who arrived on the scene to award Loturi a yellow for his antics; he also gave one to Gillier for getting into a push fight with Wolff. (If Wolff didn't have a yellow already, he likely would have gotten a yellow here.)
Best Verde moment (that wasn’t a goal)
Maybe it wasn't even going in, but let's salute Osman Bukari for getting off a 38th-minute shot that tested Gillier and got Austin's offense to come to life for an essential goal.
Worst Verde moment (that wasn't a goal allowed)
Again, a penalty kick foul is not technically a goal allowed, because the penalty taker still has to make the shot. But, my word, that extended arm from Desler for the handball was horrific.
One thing you might have missed
Austin FC legend Brandan Craig got into the match in the 63rd minute. (Craig was loaned to Verde by the Union in 2023 for an international spot and $125,000 in GAM. Craig never saw the field for Austin, but only played in one match for the Union. He's now played in 18 for CFM.)
One nerdy tidbit
It bears repeating: Montréal got the first six shots of the match — eventually winning the shots battle 13-11.
Where this fits into the season's narrative
In losing, Verde failed to get a road win against a Wooden Spoon-contending opponent and bring their away point total equal to their home point total. Though this is their first loss in six matches (dating back to June 28), they've also gotten two points out of a possible nine against three teams currently below the playoff places.
A question we have heading into the press conference
I'm curious as why it took so long for Austin to find any kind of offensive cohesion; even Bukari seemed stymied by CFM's defense early.
Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. You can comment here if you’re a subscriber, or reach out via Bluesky.
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