North Texas SC won 3-1 on penalties after a 0-0 draw with Austin FC II in MLS Next Pro. The shootout was needed after a goalless 90 minutes in which North Texas created the better chances despite being reduced to ten men.
North Texas finished with 21 shots to Austin's 12 and six on target, but Austin's goalkeeper made six saves to keep the score level. Austin controlled the ball, with 64% possession and 541 accurate passes, yet only forced two saves from the North Texas goalkeeper. The key moment came in the 64th minute when Lucas Martins do Espirito Santo was sent off for a second booking, but Austin could not make the extra man count.
The standout number was North Texas's 21 shots from just 36% possession, showing how often they threatened despite limited territory. They also edged the expected-goals count 0.94 to 0.81, and then won the penalty shootout 3-1. Austin's goalkeeper, with six saves, was the main reason the match reached that point.
