Gyasi Zardes’ late tally gives Austin win over Toronto

Updated: May 21, 2023, 04:47 am

Gyasi Zardes scored in the first minute of second-half stoppage time to lift Austin FC to a 1-0 win over visiting Toronto FC on Saturday.

Zardes' header came off a rebound after Nick Lima's header hit the crossbar and caromed to Zardes, who knocked the ball into the top of the goal.

The win gave Austin FC (4-5-4, 16 points) consecutive MLS wins for the second time this season after ending an eight-game winless streak (0-4-4) with a 2-1 road win over the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday.

Toronto (2-5-7, 13 points) has been shut out in its past four games and is 1-4-5 in its past 10 games. Toronto hasn't found the back of the net since C.J. Sapong's tally in the 46th minute in a 1-0 win over NYCFC on April 29.

Austin FC dominated the game but couldn't beat Toronto goalie Sean Johnson until stoppage time.

Adam Lundqvist's cross into the goalmouth from the left wing was headed into the air by a Toronto defender to Lima, whose header hit the crossbar before Zardas got his head on the rebound.

Austin goalie Brad Stuver didn't need to make a save to record his third shutout of the season and 17th of his MLS career.

Austin FC maintained possession for 62.4 percent of the game and outshot Toronto 16-3. But Austin put just two shots on target, while the visitors didn't put a single shot on frame.

Austin completed 83.6 percent of its 481 passes, while Toronto connected on 69.7 percent of its 300 passes.

Austin FC controlled the first half but had nothing to show for it.

Austin had possession for 61.9 percent of the first 45 minutes and held Toronto without a single shot and just one corner kick. Austin, however, had eight shots but failed to put a single one on target.

Austin FC completed 86.8 percent of their 257 passes in the first half, while Toronto FC completed 72.6 percent of their 164 passes.

--Field Level Media