Instant takeaways from Austin FC vs. Houston Dynamo FC

AUSTIN — Q2 Stadium is turning into a theater of dreams. Everywhere you look, there's a smile. Austin FC can dream even bigger Tuesday night after a 3-1 comeback victory over Houston Dynamo FC.

Verde is atop the Copa Tejas standings, only needing a draw to claim its first silverware. And for at least a night, Austin is on top of the table in Major League Soccer with 40 points through 20 matches.

Two points per match, and this club wants more. That was the signal that went out Monday, when rumors surfaced of a designated player signing. Getting it done might be messy, but the desire is there.

The ambition? It's alive and well.

Here are a few takeaways from the match.

Diego's masterpiece

In the third minute, Austin FC lined up for a long-range free kick. Sebastián Driussi stood behind the ball to the left, Žan Kolmanič to the right. Kolmanič took the shot, and it sailed over the bar.

Twelve minutes later, with Verde trailing 1-0, Driussi was fouled just outside his own box. This one had to be his, right?

Wrong.

Diego Fagúndez had the ball in his hands before Driussi had picked himself off the ground, and before Kolmanič could jog forward from his left back position. Neither of them argued with Fagúndez. They knew something we didn't.

They knew that Fagúndez could deliver this.

The celebration said it all. Fagúndez had clearly been waiting for his opportunity to show that whatever he's been doing on the training ground was transferable for a combo deal of Verde lights and beer showers. 

Driussi lifted him in the air. The fans went into raptures. The comeback was on. What a moment.

Dare to dream?

The second goal was a thing of Argentine beauty, with Driussi drawing in defenders with his clever touches at the top of the box, sliding the ball wide for Maxi Urruti, and a flawless finish to the far post.

And you know what was my first thought. Imagine if you added a third Argentine to that mix? Emiliano Rigoni could be here soon. 

RELATED: Emiliano Rigoni to Austin ’99% done'

The land of skirt steak, tango and Malbec (thank you, Phil West, for this list) has produced 18 goals for Verde already in 2022. It's also given us the joyful additions to the Austin FC culture that include "Mate Con Vos" YouTube videos and Tik Martins.

I'm gonna go ahead and say that Claudio Reyna is searching in the right pool.

Trophy time

So, here's the scenario. Austin FC simply needs a result — draw or win — on Saturday to claim its first trophy in club history.

Yes, Copa Tejas is unofficial hardware. It was created by supporters, for supporters. But as the players told me following the match last Saturday in Atlanta, if the fans want it, they want it too.

"We want to win and of course it is gonna be for the fans because they deserve this," Julio Cascante said. "They were here for us last year in that tough year, so I think they deserve this and we're gonna try to make it happen."

The hardest work is done. Now it's time to finish the job.