MVP front-runner Sebastián Driussi drives Austin FC to high-scoring tie vs. San Jose

It’s not a terrible result for Austin FC, but giving up a tying goal in the final minutes of regulation is always a bit of a disappointment.

El Tree tied with the San Jose Earthquakes 3-3 Saturday night at Q2 Stadium, as Jeremy Ebobisse’s header off a brilliant cross from Cristian Espinosa in the 88th minute cost Austin FC the win after it had held the lead for the entire second half.

Julio Cascante opened the scoring for Austin, and Sebastián Driussi found the net twice after San Jose goals by Benjamin Kikanovic and Paul Marie as part of a five-goal first half.

Here are some observations from the game as Austin FC is tied for the second-most points in the league with 45 and will host Sporting Kansas City on Saturday:

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Sebastián Driussi making case for best player in the league

Chants of “MVP, MVP” rang out from the Austin FC crowd Saturday — and they couldn’t have been more accurate.

Driussi put on another performance to prove that he’s the best player in the league, and he only seems to be getting better as the season goes on.

He now has 16 goals and stands alone atop the league in the race for the Golden Boot, the award given to the player who has the most goals during the regular season.

Add in his seven assists — and he should have had an eighth Saturday, but Ethan Finlay put his cross wide of the goal — and Austin FC’s place in the standings, and there’s really no question who the MVP is at this point.

At some point, opponents will start double-teaming Driussi closely from start to finish — and possibly fouling him — but until then, it’s hard to see a reason he won’t continue to score.

And at a salary of just over $2 million, Driussi is a steal compared with other, far less effective designated players around the league who are making triple, or some cases quadruple, what he is.

One negative of his low salary is the fact that European teams will probably come with large buyout offers over the winter, and to be frank, Driussi is too good to be playing in the MLS.

But Austin FC fans should appreciate him while they can and savor what they’ve watched the past five-plus months, as they’re witnessing greatness.

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First half: fine attacking soccer

From an entertainment standpoint, it’s hard to find a better one than the first half.

The teams combined for five goals before the break, with four of those coming in the first 27 minutes.

Kikanovic’s score to answer for the Earthquakes immediately after Cascante’s header was a bit lucky as it appeared he was attempting to settle the ball and it just happened to perfectly deflect into the goal. But Marie’s shot was a moment of brilliance.

He settled a punch-out from Brad Stuver, then deftly rocketed the ball into the upper left corner of the goal from 40 yards out.

It’ll be a strong contender for MLS Goal of the Week, for sure.

Driussi then went to work, finishing a pass across the box from Finlay, then deftly saving a ball next to the goal from going out of bounds and putting it around the post to give the team its lead.

If this was the first game for any in attendance, they’ll come away with a high impression of soccer in general.

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Austin FC continues to surge in the West

While a tie at home against the next-to-last team in the West isn’t ideal, it’s hard to be too upset considering how the game played out.

San Jose’s goals were either brilliant or lucky, and Austin FC didn’t play poorly.

If you want to pick nits, you could say maybe subbing Driussi and Maxi Urruti off late wasn’t the greatest idea, but that happened in the 87th minute. Austin FC is nine points clear of third place in August, so it’s in a good spot, and if it can take a win against Kansas City next week it will be in great shape entering the season’s stretch run.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes: Highlights, scores at Q2 Stadium