Austin FC's 2-2 Draw with St. Louis City

It's the first time in over a year that Julio Cascante has spoken with Austin media. The 30-year-old Costa Rican stopped to speak with a few journalists on Saturday night. He scored the team's second goal, his first of the season, but St. Louis tied the game in the last minutes of the match.

These quotes were translated from Spanish to English. :)

"I dedicate it to my family, my wife, my son, my mom, and dad, who are always supportive of everything I do and are my motivation. Happy as I am for the goal, I believe that joy doesn't change for anything, but obviously, I would have liked us to win the game. I would be feeling something different from what we're feeling now... Honestly, I think many of us here [on the team] feel this draw as a defeat because it happened at the last minute. We're at home, and we wanted to give them that joy as much as to us and to the fans who always come on weekends to support us."

Question: Coach Josh Wolff mentioned that he emphasized improving defense during preseason. What's your take on it?

"Yes, there was a lot of emphasis on solving those situations that we may have had last season in the defensive zone. I'm very happy to see the fruits of that work we've been doing all week... Our job, apart from the offensive zone, is obviously to defend to death."

In total, the central defender has scored 8 goals and provided 10 assists since joining the club in 2021.

Jhojan Valencia - on the match:

"It's frustrating for us to tie a game that we saw as won. We know that the three points were very important for us at home. It was going to build confidence for us at home, but well, that's football, and we know we're exposed to these results. Just work and correct the things that happened."

Question: How did you see the team tonight?

"An aggressive team that always wanted the game. We had to be strong at the back to get that result. I think we did very well. Mistakes are made logically, but well, that's why we're going to keep working to not make them and get the results we want."

Question: Two goals from defenders tonight, obviously they're not forwards, but what does that say about this club?

"We're all prepared for that. Gyasi and Diego played a very important role in the match. They didn't score, but they played a very important role in maintaining their attack while defending high. And well, the goal was given to Julio, the goal was given to Matt, and I'm happy for them."

Diego Rubio - talked about his position playing as a number 10 with Austin FC:

"I would call it a 9 and a half, a little closer to Gyasi, very close even at times we played up there. You do what you have to do, what the coach asks you, right, but in the end, you also have to be a little demanding. Really, we have to have more shots, we have to have more offensive things, so hopefully I can work during the week to be able to define the last pass, the last action, be better to have a chance to at least score a goal."

How was the atmosphere in Q2 (As a new player)?

"Very good. I've always liked playing in a full stadium with a lot of people; it feels good, but in the end, as I tell you, we have to put more intensity. I think we already had the intensity against a great team that is very intense for a long time. I think it was a fight, but unfortunately, truthfully, for things like football, the most beautiful sport in the world, in the end, they had the option to tie."

Austin FC has two draws and one loss. They will face another strong club, Philadelphia, next Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Q2 Stadium.