Sporting Kansas City 1, Austin FC 2: Late Drama Seals the Win for the Visitors

By Rene Vidal

Sporting Kansas City fell short at home as Austin FC completed a dramatic comeback to claim a 2–1 victory. The match began at high intensity with both sides pushing forward, but it was the hosts who struck first.

In the 16th minute, Dejan Joveljic converted a penalty with confidence, driving his shot into the bottom right corner past Brad Stuver. Kansas City nearly doubled their advantage minutes later when Tim Leibold unleashed a strike from distance, only to see it rebound off the post.

Austin grew into the game and found their equalizer in the 37th minute. Owen Wolff seized his chance from the edge of the box, curling a left-footed effort low into the bottom corner. That goal shifted momentum, and from then on the visitors looked the more dangerous side.

The second half was filled with missed opportunities and near moments for both teams. John Pulskamp made key saves to deny Robert Taylor and Osman Bukari, while Stuver stood tall at the other end to stop efforts from Erik Thommy, Dániel Sallói, and Mason Toye. Kansas City’s pressure was relentless but Austin always looked threatening on the break.

The decisive moment came in the 82nd minute. Owen Wolff swung in a corner from the left and CJ Fodrey rose highest to head home from the heart of the penalty area. The ball flew into the central netting, sending the visiting supporters into jubilation and putting Austin 2–1 ahead.

Kansas City pushed desperately in stoppage time. Thommy and Joveljic both tested Stuver, but the Austin goalkeeper held firm. The final whistle confirmed a hard-fought away victory for Josh Wolff’s side, while Peter Vermes’s team were left ruing missed chances and wasted dominance.

Austin leave with three points thanks to resilience and clinical finishing, while Kansas City will be frustrated to have let an early lead slip away.