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Hometown hero McKinze Gaines scores as Austin FC topples LA Galaxy 2-0

(Austin FC/Twitter)
In a match that showcased two newcomers, striker Moussa Djitte and native Austinite McKinze Gaines, Austin FC took down the powerful Chicharito and crew as they defeated LA Galaxy 2-0 on Sunday.
The match snapped a five-game losing streak and made history as Djitte scored his first goal with the club and Gaines became the first homegrown Austinite to score less than 10 minutes into his first match.
With the win, Austin gained some much-needed points in the MLS standings but still sit at last in the West. LA Galaxy sits at No. 5 in the West.
After a rare uneventful first half for a struggling Austin FC, Djitte broke the team's second-half scoreless streak after catching a rebound to make it 1-0 Austin in the 63rd minute. Djitte's goal comes just two matches in to his starting debut as he continues to transform Austin's formerly striker-free offense.
Less than 10 minutes after subbing in for Djitte, Gaines doubled the lead in his first match with Austin FC as he easily netted shot into the top right corner of goal.
While the two young players kept Galaxy keeper Jonathan Bond on his toes, Austin keeper Brad Stuver kept one of MLS' top stars at bay in goal. Stuver continued to stump Chicharito, who has scored 11 goals this season, as he logged seven goals for the home team.
Austin may remain at the bottom of the West, but the win gives some bragging rights to the Verde and Black underdogs and gives fans a glimpse of head coach Josh Wolff's complex, positional style of play.
The team will try to carry over that momentum as they hit the road to take on the Colorado Rapids at 8 p.m. on Wednesday at Dicks Sporting Goods Park.
79' Austin FC's first Austinite doubles the lead
Making his city proud. Take a bow, @McKinzeGaines. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/43zEI1ZDdq
— Austin FC (@AustinFC) September 27, 2021
Less than 10 minutes into his first professional match, Austin FC's first true Austinite McKinze Gaines made history with the club as he doubled the lead for his hometown.
72' Wolff makes some subs
72' | A couple #AustinFC substitutions.
— Austin FC (@AustinFC) September 27, 2021
➡️ Jon Gallagher
⬅️ Cecilio Domínguez
➡️ McKinze Gaines
➡️ Moussa Djitté pic.twitter.com/jE5dKAhhxC
Last week, head coach Josh Wolff caught some criticism after taking out key players, including Djitte, at the half. This week, he waited a little longer as he swapped Djitte for McKinze Gaines, a native Austinite making his debut with the team, in the 72nd minute. Cecilio Dominguez was also subbed out for forward Jon Gallagher.
Wolff's late-game subs have disappointed some fans in the past as Austin notoriously tends to crash in the second half. The team will try to break that curse tonight.
63' Djitte scores!
He came up big for the city! Let's go, @MoussaDjitte99. pic.twitter.com/K3vrUKKsS6
— Austin FC (@AustinFC) September 27, 2021
Just two matches into his starting debut, Moussa Djitte has made his mark with Austin FC with his first-ever goal. While his first shot was nabbed by LA keeper Jonathan Bond, Djitte's shot off the rebound hits the mark as Austin goes up 1-0.
43' Djitte makes a run for goal
Defenses aren't ready for @MoussaDjitte99. pic.twitter.com/SlqDMjRFvS
— Austin FC (@AustinFC) September 27, 2021
Compared to the high-scoring heartbreakers of the past few weeks, this matchup hasn't seen quite as many highlight-worthy plays at the half. But a drive from Moussa Djitte nearly changed the narrative for the Verde underdogs as he took the ball up the field and very nearly into the goal.
At the half, Austin FC is once again holding back on possession, an uncharacteristic move that nearly brought the team a win against the San Jose Earthquakes. The club's calmer gameplay has kept the daunting Chicharito at bay so far, though some close calls-including a double-header from keeper Brad Stuver and Jhohan Romana that kept the game scoreless from back-to-back corner kicks- have cut it close.
Austin FC and LA have each made just one shot on goal at the half, though Austin has made seven shots to the Galaxy's three.
A Texas-sized tifo
(Austonia)
Austin FC fans' latest tifo, or gigantic gameday banner, honors Tejana singer Selena Quintanilla. Clad in Verde alongside the words "Somos del equipo de la 512," or "We are the team of the 512," the banner honors Selena over 25 years after her death while showcasing Austin's undying support in its always-packed supporters' section.
Starting lineup
Ready to take the pitch tonight for #ATXvLA. #AustinFC x @YETICoolerspic.twitter.com/a9lg7Aye8G
— Austin FC (@AustinFC) September 27, 2021
Striker Moussa Djitte is back in the starting lineup after making a splash for his starting debut last week as the team looks to continue their high-scoring streak. He's flanked by Designated Player Cecilio Dominguez and Diego Fagundez.
Meanwhile, fellow DP Sebastian Driussi will don the captain's armband for the first time as midfielder Alex Ring is out on a red card penalty and will take on the midfield alongside Daniel Pereira and Tomas Pochettino.
The team's back line will stay the same as center back Matt Besler continues to sit out on concussion protocol.
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Popular
(ABIA)
The Austin airport has made a graceful entrance into what has been predicted to be a record-breaking summer for travel starting on Memorial Day weekend.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport expects more than 4.8 million passengers this summer, projecting a record-breaking year of 22 million in 2022, but operations on Friday morning seemed to run smoothly.
ABIA Public Information manager Sam Haynes said the smoothness of the morning can be attributed to a few things: Adequate staffing levels from airlines and at TSA as well as passengers heeding advice of arriving early.
We appreciate you arriving early!! Safe travels and enjoy your holiday weekend ☀️✈️
— Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) (@AUStinAirport) May 27, 2022
“Airport staff, including the Department of Aviation, TSA and airline employees have been working tirelessly to support our community’s air travel needs and we are grateful for our passengers’ understanding that these are unprecedented times for our airport,” Haynes told Austonia.
The airport has recently seen huge traffic surges–especially after major events like F1 and ACL—in late March, travelers spoke about lines stretching outside the terminal doors and rental cars left abandoned.
Though there were some minor lines in the morning, some travelers took to Twitter to share surprising low wait times.
This is great news, especially on what is a huge vacation weekend. Good job @AUStinAirport !!!! https://t.co/sOlSLFK7TH
— Scott Henderson (@SHenderson1975) May 27, 2022
My kiddo got through TSA in 5 minutes this morning! We were prepared for a much longer wait. Awesome job y'all, thank you!
— Dammit Dacia (@DammitDacia) May 27, 2022
The austin airport is empty and I’m SHOCKED. It’s been unbelievably packed every time I’ve been here this year
— Sofia Barcellos | Austin • FMTY 🦋 (@SofiaBarcellosx) May 27, 2022
The airport currently recommends arriving for your flight at least two and a half hours early, or three if it is an international flight.
“We take great pride in being able to connect our community with so many destinations and continue to ask for our passengers' patience, preparedness and kindness as more people travel through AUS than ever before,” Haynes said.
(Amazon/Facebook)
Plans for an Amazon warehouse in Round Rock—a $250 million project slated to be a large distribution center—are on hold.
This comes just after the tech giant had its worst financial quarter in seven years.
The details:
- Late last year, it announced an expansion at the Domain adding 2,000 more corporate and tech jobs.
- Amazon still owns the site in Round Rock. Plans for it are unclear.
- Early this week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Amazon is aiming to scrap warehouse space as it faces a slowdown in its e-commerce operations.
Part of that effort involves exploring the possibility of ending or renegotiating leases with outside warehouse owners. Another aspect is a plan to sublease warehouse space.
“It allows us to relieve the financial obligations associated with an existing building that no longer meets our needs,” an Amazon spokeswoman told the Wall Street Journal. “Subleasing is something many established corporations do to help manage their real estate portfolio.”
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