Cecilio Dominguez stars as Austin FC get first-ever MLS win vs. Colorado Rapids

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:07 am

Cecilio Dominguez scored the deciding goal in the 67th minute and then added another tally four minutes later to help Austin FC to a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday in Commerce City, Colo., granting the expansion team its first win.

Diego Fagundez scored the first goal in Austin FC history in the 59th minute, finding the net on a rebound of a shot by Jared Stroud that bounced off Colorado defender Keegan Rosenberry. Fagundez was waiting at the far side of the goal for the ball that came right to his foot and left Colorado goalkeeper William Yarbrough no chance for the save.

Dominguez put Austin FC (1-1-0, 3 points) on top, making short work of a loose ball in the goal mouth that had been carried into the box by Jon Gallagher.

The Paraguayan midfielder then added to the lead in the 71st minute, ripping a right-footed shot from outside the box into the bottom left corner. Rodney Redes garnered the assist, the first in Austin FC history.

The Rapids scored first, breaking through in the 36th minute when Andre Shinyashiki leaped high and directed home a header past Austin keeper Brad Stuver that bounced into the net. Jack Price earned the assist with a crossing pass on a corner kick.

Cecilio Dominguez celebrates one of his goals.
C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images

The goal was the Rapids' first of the season after a scoreless shutout with FC Dallas in week 1.

Austin managed its only shot on goal of the first half five minutes into stoppage time. Daniel Pereira Gil's right-footed attempt from just outside the box was saved by Yarbrough in the top center of the goal.

Austin FC's scoring binge assured that there are still only two expansion teams that failed to score in their first two MLS matches: Toronto FC (four straight) in 2007 and the Miami Fusion (three straight) in 1998.

Colorado outshot Austin 19-14 but the visitors earned a 7-6 edge in shots on goal. Austin finished with a 50.1-49-9 advantage in possession percentage while the Rapids led in passing accuracy 85.5 percent to 83.6 percent and corner kicks 11-3.

Austin FC is two matches into its seven-match road stint to begin its inaugural season as Q2 Stadium in the Texas capitol city is being completed.