KANSAS CITY, Kan. — On his way to the locker room, Sporting Kansas City midfielder Cameron Duke received a pat on the backside from Austin FC coach Josh Wolff, as well as hand shakes from assistant coaches Rodrigo Rios and Preston Burpo. They knew that things could have gone the other way.
Yellow cards were being handed out like candy, and Duke just happened to be the first player to get seconds. He received a red card for his troubles, along with the sympathy of the Verde coaching staff who were forced to plan their evening around referee Fotis Bazakos.
At halftime of the 2-0 win, Wolff made a pair of subs to get Dani Pereira and Julio Cascante out of harm's way. Both players received yellow cards in the first half, part of five that were handed out before halftime. Maxi Urruti had the other for Austin, and Duke received both of his during a four-minute span.
"We had to make those changes based on what the ref looked like," he said. "I mean, there's no sense playing Russian roulette when the next call could be a second yellow."
And while the decisions ultimately played in Austin's favor, allowing Verde a man advantage for the entire second half, Wolff was displeased with the way the match revolved around whistles more than tactics or individual brilliance.
"It was choppy because of what was happening with the refereeing," Wolff said. "The second half was also choppy because of what was happening with the referee. The second half, we have an advantage and they're sitting low. So you've got to still have clear objectives and intentions when you're playing against a low block."
Eventually, the seas parted for Sebastián Driussi to score the dagger in the 90th minute. But there were some stressful moments, including multiple video assistant referee decisions — one that resulted in a Sporting KC penalty saved by Brad Stuver just past the hour mark. Austin was also called offside five times, and on four occasions had goals called back.
It all made for a brutal watch. You have to appreciate Wolff calling it as he saw it.
Redes and Hoesen
Look, I get it. You have your favorites. Moussa Djitté has a lot of love from the fanbase, and there's a big appetite to see more of Washington Corozo, especially after he pulled off that bicycle kick assist against New York Red Bulls a week ago.
Wolff chose to go a different direction on Saturday, opting for Rodney Redes and Danny Hoesen in the 82nd and 84th minute, respectively. Let's just say those two don't have the same cachet from the fans.
"Danny Hoesen's positioning and awareness in the box is strong," Wolff said. "So is Moussa's. But it's more just decision making. Washington (Corozo), we have the lead and we're up a guy. I still want clear understanding of our defensive principles. We've seen what he can do, but on the night I thought that's what we needed."
As for the theory that Hoesen and Redes were being put in the shop window a few days before the close of the transfer window, I'd say that's wishful thinking. The fact that both players were in uniform and played on Saturday signals that both will likely stay with Austin FC for the duration of the 2022 season.
Redes, as he so often has this year, had a chance to score late that went just wide of the post. The chances keep coming.
Valencia update
For the first time since early June when he underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus, Jhojan Valencia was not listed on the injury report this week. He trained at full speed in the buildup to Kansas City, but wasn't yet ready to be included in the 20-man squad.
"He's working back into fitness," Wolff said of the Colombian midfielder. "It's not easy when you've been out for six weeks. It's good to see him out on the field. He had a day or two that were good and a day or two that were expectedly poor. It's tough when you're coming back to get your legs under you and (adapt to) the speed of play again. He'll be fine. In the next week or two he should be back in the group."
By a toe
Diego Fagúndez told The Striker that his discounted goal in the second half was called back because part of his left foot was deemed to be offside.
"What they told me was that it was my toes, I guess," he said. "My left toe or something."
He didn't appear too bothered by it, especially after his ninth assist of the season went to Driussi to finish the match off.
"We knew goals were gonna come," he said. "Did we think we were going to always be offsides? No. But we keep working. This team is something different, something special and we all have each other's backs. I think it shows. We go away, we win games. That's what we want."
Austin FC moved to 8W-3L-2D away from home in 2022. The only team that has come close to matching that road record is the Red Bulls, who are currently 7-3-2. In the Western Conference, only Verde has more than six away wins.
