Matchday

CCL shocker: Austin FC upset by Haiti's Violette AC in Round of 16

23MLS_CCL_Violette_AC_v_ATX

Austin FCā€™s Concacaf Champions League debut quickly turned into a nightmare Tuesday night, losing 3-0 to Haitian side Violette AC in their Round of 16 first-leg match.

The away clash, played in the Dominican Republic due to safety concerns, saw Austin's heavily-rotated XI undone by a familiar sequence on three separate occasions: Violette winger Roberto Louima attacking the backlineā€™s right side before finding striker Miche-Naider ChĆ©ry centrally.

ChĆ©ry finished thunderous headers in the 13th and 39th minutes, beating Austin center back Amro Tarek in the air on both occasions after Louimaā€™s speed caused problems. Then Tarek scored a head-in-hands own goal in the 47th minute, mishitting an attempted clearance after Brad Stuverā€™s sprawling save on ChĆ©ry followed Louimaā€™s deflected shot.

Adding injury to insult, Tarek was subbed off in the 66th minute after picking up a knock ā€“ compounding Austinā€™s worrisome backline health for league play and the all-decisive second leg on March 14 at Q2 Stadium.

Austin had some chances ā€“ Rodney Redes' volley went wide in the 27th minute and Maxi Urruti struck woodwork in the 86th minute ā€“ but consistent threats were few and far between against the 2022 Caribbean Club Championship winner.

Goals

  • 13' - VIO - Miche-Naider ChĆ©ry | WATCH
  • 39' - VIO - Miche-Naider ChĆ©ry | WATCH
  • 47' - VIO - Amro Tarek (OG) | WATCH

Three Things

  • THE BIG PICTURE: Itā€™s early in Austinā€™s third-ever season, entering this prestigious continental competition after being the highest-ranked US team not already qualified (Western Conference finalist in the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs). But thatā€™s no excuse for head coach Josh Wolffā€™s group, which has a three-goal aggregate deficit to overcome in the second leg against a club that hasn't played consistent Ligue HaĆÆtienne matches in years. The likes of SebastiĆ”n Driussi and Gyasi Zardes, who didnā€™t play vs. Violette, will likely need to be called upon at home next week. It's a tall mountain to climb, but not an insurmountable one.
  • MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Austin took a knockout punch in brutal fashion just after halftime. Amro Tarek's own goal seized the air out of any comeback hopes.
  • MAN OF THE MATCH: Austin's backline had no answer for Violette striker Miche-Naider ChĆ©ry, especially in the air.

Next Up

  • VIO: Tuesday, March 14 vs. Austin FC | 8 pm ET (FS2, TUDN) | Concacaf Champions League
  • ATX: Saturday, March 11 at Real Salt Lake | 9:30 pm ET (MLS Season Pass) | MLS regular season