Jader Rafael Obrian, playing on his 29th birthday, scored two goals in a nine-minute stretch in the first half to carry Austin FC past visiting Sporting Kansas City in a 3-2 victory Saturday night.
Sebastian Driussi scored 40 seconds into the second half to propel Austin to a two-goal advantage. Daniel Pereira assisted on both of Obrian’s goals.
Johnny Russell scored in the 18th minute and Jacob Davis notched a goal in the 63rd minute for Kansas City (2-6-5, 11 points), which has lost four of its last five matches.
Austin (6-4-4, 22 points) has posted five consecutive home victories — two of those in a four-night stretch after defeating Houston on Wednesday night.
Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia made four saves. Brad Stuver needed just one save for Austin.
Driussi had a chance to tack on another goal and restore a two-goal cushion, but Melia stuffed his penalty kick with less than nine minutes remaining in the match.
Obrian, playing in his first MLS season, had two goals in Austin’s first 13 matches. All of his goals have come at home.
The first Austin goal came after a critical mistake by Kansas City, which failed to clear the ball from the box. Pereira was in the right spot to gain control of the ball, slipping a pass to Obrian, who converted from the right wing.
Obrian’s second goal came as he directed the ball between two converging defenders in the middle of the box after a pass from Pereira.
Driussi has a three-match goal streak after posting his fifth of the season. His header came off a cross from Gyasi Zardes.
Alan Pulido assisted on Russell’s goal, which gave Kansas City a 1-0 edge in the 18th minute. Russell, in his 10th match of the season, secured his first goal.
Davis scored on a blast from well outside the box for his second goal this season.
–Field Level Media
