First goals on the soccer field are always special. There’s nothing like finally finding the back of the net in an official game after countless hours on the practice field perfecting such shots.
Whether it is the first of a career, first for a new team or in a new league, every soccer player dreams of it.
For Austin FC forward CJ Fodrey, this dream became a reality.
Since being drafted to Austin FC in 2023, Fodrey had never scored for the team or in the MLS, only having scored for its second-team affiliate, Austin FC II. Before joining the Verde and Black, he had only scored one professional goal for the San Diego Loyal in the USL Championship, the country’s second division.
However, on Sunday, with a team depleted of players due to injuries and commitments to respective national teams, Fodrey got his chance to finally add to the scoresheet.
With a ball whipped in from midfielder Owen Wolff in the 82nd minute, Fodrey rose above the Sporting Kansas City defense, heading the ball against the near-post and into the net.
It was not only his first for Austin FC, but his first in the MLS. Fodrey’s goal helped Austin FC obtain a 2-1 win away from home, securing another vital three points for Austin’s playoff push.
“(My first goal) came a little later than expected when I first got drafted here,” Fodrey said. “I thought I was going to have it all right away, but that’s not the reality. It’s been hard for me, I won’t lie, but I think for me recently, it’s been coming in every day and working hard.”
Fodrey was not the only star for the Verde and Black on Sunday, with homegrown talent Wolff continuing his impressive run of form.
Before assisting Fodrey’s late winner, Wolff scored the equalizing goal in the 37th minute. Assisted by defender Guilherme Biro, Wolff received a long ball he cushioned past two defenders before striking the ball into the net.
Wolff has now scored or assisted in six of his last seven games, totaling eight goal contributions in that same span.
The comeback win is a first for the Verde and Black this season as the team moved to the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference standings.
“A win is huge, more when other teams don’t win. That happened yesterday — some of the teams fighting to get into the playoff round couldn’t win,” head coach Nico Estévez said. “It’s always difficult to win a game in this league, more when you come into the September month. (In) September and October, winning a game is very, very difficult.”
With six games left to play in the league, Austin FC will travel up north on Saturday to take on FC Dallas before making a further trip to take on Minnesota United FC in the U.S. Open Cup.
