Myrto Uzuni's late winner lifts Austin FC past Sporting Kansas City

Biro and Las keep Sporting out

Sporting Kansas City made two lineup changes, restoring Jake Davis at right back and Capita Capemba on the left wing.

The hosts threatened in the ninth minute after Stephen Afrifa intercepted a header. Taylor Calheira's ensuing shot was cleared off the line by Guilherme Biro, keeping Sporting from an early lead.

Damian Las denied Afrifa in the 43rd minute and again two minutes later, the second chance following Calheira's pass. The teams reached halftime scoreless, with all three goals still to come.

Afrifa opens the scoring

Joseph Rosales headed just wide for the first major chance after the interval. Sporting then broke the deadlock in the 56th minute through Afrifa, with André Luiz credited with the assist.

Austin came close to an answer in the 62nd minute. Stefan Cleveland saved Rosales' header, and Jansen Miller headed the follow-up off the line to preserve Sporting's advantage.

Uzuni converts the rebound

That lead lasted only until the 64th minute. Myrto Uzuni's initial effort was saved, but he converted his own rebound to equalize, bringing Austin level eight minutes after Afrifa had put Sporting ahead.

Sporting had two further chances through Afrifa while the score was level. He shot wide from Owen Wolff's setup in the 75th minute, then missed Calvin Harris' cross in the 78th.

An open-net finish decides it

Uzuni completed the comeback in the 86th minute, scoring into an open net after a Sporting defender's mistake. It was Austin's first lead of the match, arriving after Uzuni had supplied the equalizer. The unassisted winner secured Austin's 2–1 victory and took his season total to a team-leading 13 goals across all competitions.