A cult hero has been emerging from the shadows of the Austin FC bench this month, and with the team finally playing at Q2 Stadium for the first time this month, the Verde and Black faithful got to see forward CJ Fodrey and his powers on Sunday.
While “Stuuuu” was yelled across the stadium after an 86th-minute save from goalkeeper Brad Stuver, all eyes looked to Fodrey, the 78th-minute substitute, for another late game-winning goal.
Tied 1-1 against Seattle, a looping ball was sent into the box by midfielder Dani Pereira in the sixth minute of added time. Fans rose to their feet to see what would happen with the cross.
The 6-foot-2 Fodrey dove to connect with the ball, heading it back into the middle of the 6-yard box. The diving effort was enough to find the feet of forward Myrto Uzuni, who redirected the ball into the back of the net.
Before the scoreboard could even change or the stadium lights could turn green to signify an Austin goal, Fodrey turned to the fans. Referred to as a game changer on the team’s official Instagram, the super-sub Fodrey didn’t celebrate until he joined his teammates.
Instead, he watched as the fans celebrated the winning goal that he had just assisted.
“Throughout the season, we’ve tried to build that belief (that a goal could come at any moment in late games),” head coach Nico Estévez said. “We keep going until the final whistle, because it’s worth it. And right now, we’re in this moment where we’re having that part of luck, but also that belief that (gives) us the composure and poise in those late minutes to be very clean in our crossing and in our final actions.”
Fodrey contributing to the scoresheet through crosses in late-game scenarios has been a familiar sight for Austin FC this month.
Barring the Dallas loss on Sept. 13, Austin FC has won three games in September, scoring the winning goals past the 80th minute. Fodrey has contributed to all the winning goals, heading in a corner on Sept. 7 against Kansas City, scoring off a rebound in the U.S. Open Cup semifinal against Minnesota United, and assisting Uzuni on Sunday.
“I don’t think about (if he should be a starter or a substitute). He has a role right now, and he’s executing his role. And then I think if he has a different role, he will try to execute in the best way,” Estévez said. “Right now, his role is coming late and helping the team to win and he is doing a really good job, and has embraced that role really well. And we’re very happy to have him in, seeing him contributing for the club.”
As the team prepares for its next challenges against Real Salt Lake and eventually the historic Open Cup final against Nashville SC, the Verde and Black can rest knowing that they have found another hero.
