Austin FC II has been recognized as Team of Matchday 13 thanks to their exceptional performance over the past week.
Under the guidance of coach Brett Uttley, the team bounced back from three consecutive defeats in May and have secured four consecutive victories, two of which were achieved during Matchday 13.
Their first match of Matchday 13 saw Austin FC II face off against St. Louis CITY2 on the road on Thursday, June 15. Coming into the match, Austin FC II had only achieved one road win in five previous attempts in 2023.
Despite a commanding performance in the first half, Austin FC II struggled to find the back of the net until the 69th minute. Forward CJ Fodrey broke the deadlock, capitalizing on a rebound opportunity after Sebastien Pineau's shot struck the post. Austin FC II held off CITY2 and secured their sixth clean sheet of the season, along with three valuable points.
Days later, Austin FC II continued their winning streak by claiming their fourth consecutive victory and second win of Matchday 13 with an impressive 4-0 scoreline on Sunday, June 18.
Sebastien Pineau played a vital role in this triumph, scoring in the 21st minute after an assist from David Rodriguez. Sal Mazzaferro scored the second of the night for Austin FC II in the 36th minute with his first goal of the season. Pineau added to his tally scoring a second goal in the 59th minute after skillfully eluding a Timbers2 defender.
David Rodriguez capped off the night with a 61st minute goal, taking advantage of a defensive error by Timbers2. The 4-0 scoreline marked Austin FC II's seventh clean sheet of the season, placing them at the top of MLS NEXT Pro in that category.
Following their back-to-back wins in Matchday 13, Austin FC II climbed to second place in the Western Conference, trailing the leaders, Colorado Rapids 2, by just one point.
After a challenging month of May, the team has shown resilience and determination, securing four consecutive victories in June.
One key factor behind Austin FC II's success has been their solid defense, who has only conceded nine goals in 15 games this season. Austin FC II's impressive defensive outings has showcased the squad's tenacity, teamwork and commitment to success. Additionally, Austin FC II leads the league in home wins with seven victories at Parmer Field, a testament to their loyal and passionate home crowd, who have been among the best MLS NEXT Pro.
Looking ahead, Austin FC II aims to extend their winning streak to five consecutive victories on June 25 when they face Tacoma Defiance, a team they have already defeated earlier this season.
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