Austin FC claws back to draw FC Dallas: Six observations from the tie

In a result that almost felt like a win, Austin FC scored twice in the game’s final 18 minutes to overcome a 2-0 deficit and force a 2-2 draw with FC Dallas on Saturday at Q2 Stadium.

All four goals were scored during a wild second half, with Paul Arriola and Brandon Servania finding the net 10 minutes apart to give Dallas its lead, while Sebastián Driussi and substitute Danny Hoesen scored to even the game for El Tree.

Here are some observations from the game as Austin FC has a short turnaround before playing at Charlotte FC on Thursday.

Finish with a flourish, grab a point

This was another gutsy performance by Austin FC, and to pull out a draw in the final 20 minutes against a very good team like FC Dallas is nothing less than impressive. It's the first point El Tree has earned in four matches versus Dallas.

Driussi’s goal was one of pure hustle, where he beat Dallas defenders to a loose ball in the box on a breakaway, then quickly put the ball into the net before any retreating defenders could block it.

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It continued Driussi’s case as the league’s potential MVP with his ninth goal, while Hoesen provided his second key goal of the season after getting the winner in another come-from-behind performance earlier in the 3-2 win over DC United.

Credit also has to be given to head coach Josh Wolff, who subbed Hoesen — a forward — on late while striker Moussa Djitté was already on the field.

It was a move that paid off, and while tying at home isn’t ideal, avoiding a loss to the team behind you in the Western Conference standings and who is your main competitor in the Copa Tejas competition is big.

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Jimenez, Martins start

Short on depth in the midfield without Dani Pereira and Jhojan Valencia, Felipe Martins started for the second time this year while Hector Jimenez got his first start on defense.

Both Martins and Jimenez were OK, but Jimenez getting the nod over Nick Lima and Zan Kolmanic was a bit odd with how much playing time each of those players has gotten this year.

Short corners, short on goal opportunities

Austin FC has put a recent emphasis on short corner kicks and it didn’t pay off in the first half Saturday.

Once, the ball was back at goalkeeper Brad Stuver’s feet within five passes, while another time Diego Fagúndez ended up dribbling the ball out of bounds.

Corner kicks are direct scoring chances, and not taking advantage of them is unwise. There’s a place for short corners, but this is a trend Austin FC should halt — especially with tall players such as Ruben Gabrielsen and Julio Cascante and someone who is good in the air like Maxi Urruti.

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Whiff leads to goal

Mistakes happen, but the whiff on a ball by Cascante that led to Servania’s easy goal to give Dallas its 2-0 lead was a bad one.

Cascante is a good player and fixture in Austin FC’s lineup, but that’s an egregious error and one that likely cost the team points.

Cecilio Domínguez on the way out?

Don’t be surprised if winger and designated player Cecilio Domínguez is acquired by another club when the European and South American transfer window opens Friday.

It was a big sign when he wasn’t made available to play last week at Montreal and again Saturday. When asked about his status, Wolff has been extremely vague and basically just noted he’s still training.

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If Domínguez — who was investigated by the league and authorities on a domestic dispute in April but never arrested or charged — leaves the club, expect Austin FC to make a significant acquisition to replace him.

The designated player hasn’t played since March 20, and that hampers El Tree from a quality standpoint as he’s one of the top-five players on the team.

El Tree hits the road

Austin FC now goes on a three-game-in-nine-days road swing starting Thursday in Charlotte, with the other games being at Colorado and Atlanta.

It’s a ton of travel in a short amount of time, but if El Tree can take at least four points, that should be considered a success despite none of the three teams being all that high in the standings.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin FC ties FC Dallas at Q2 Stadium Saturday