AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The goalkeepers were the stars of the first MLS game at Austin’s Q2 Stadium as the Earthquakes and Austin FC played to a 0-0 tie Saturday night.
Quakes keeper JT Marcinkowski tied a career high with six saves while Austin goalie Brad Stuver had nine stops, also equaling the most in his career.
The draw ended a four-game losing streak for the Earthquakes (3-5-1, 10 points).
Austin FC (2-4-3, 9 points), an expansion team, spent its first eight weeks on the road while waiting to make its debut at the sparkling new stadium. Q2 Stadium made its debut Wednesday night hosting the U.S. women’s national team’s 2-0 win over Nigeria.
The clean sheet was Marcinkowski’s first of the season.
“I think it’s a long time coming to be honest. We’ve been playing well in the back, just haven’t found a clean sheet yet. It was a really good night to have our first one and unfortunate not to get more,” he told the Quakes’ website. “I thought we deserved a little bit more out of the game, but we’ll take the point and all eyes on Orlando now.”
The Earthquakes have a quick turnaround for a game Tuesday at Orlando City SC.
Stuver, who also had nine saves last time out in a 1-1 draw with Sporting Kansas City on June 12, made a pair of stops in the closing minutes. He had a diving parry of a shot by Carlos Fierro in the 83rd minute and batted a strike by Cristian Espinosa outside the post in the 88th.
Quakes manager Matias Almeyda said after the match that he has faith the tide will turn for his club after a couple of missed opportunities late in the match.
“I don’t believe in luck or bad luck. I believe in hard work and the capacity of our players. When I played soccer, I was aware of my own limitations,” Almeyda said. “They allowed me to have a career because I always looked to improve. That is what I look for from the players. At some moment, this will have to change.”
Austin (2-4-3) is unbeaten in three straight games but is winless over its last six.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
