Austin FC II Outlasts North Texas SC in Heated Derby Clash at Choctaw Stadium

In a hard-fought Texas derby on Saturday night, North Texas SC fell 2-1 to Austin FC II at Choctaw Stadium, despite a late push and standout performances from key players. The loss marks North Texas' second consecutive defeat and drops their all-time record against Austin FC II to 2-2-3 in MLS NEXT Pro competition.

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Urzua Opens His 2025 Account

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Midfielder Alejandro Urzua provided a glimmer of hope for the home side in the 78th minute, netting his first goal of the season and the lone tally for North Texas. The goal came after a scrappy sequence in the box following a Daniel Baran corner kick. The 20-year-old, a consistent presence since his debut in 2022, now adds another highlight to his growing résumé, which already includes being part of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Cup-winning squad.

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Key Players Return to the Fold

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Saturday’s match saw the return of several key figures to the starting lineup. Defender James Bulkeley started for the first time since suffering an injury on March 14 against Whitecaps FC 2. Meanwhile, forward Leo Orejarena made his first club start of the season following international duty with the U.S. U-18 Men’s National Team, where he helped win the UEFA Friendship Cup alongside fellow North Texas prospect Jaidyn Contreras.

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Harms Shines Despite Result

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Despite conceding twice, goalkeeper JT Harms delivered a stellar performance in net. Making his first start since a clean sheet on May 2, Harms recorded a career-high five saves, many of them vital in keeping the match within reach. His sharp reflexes and strong positioning kept North Texas alive, especially during a chaotic and foul-heavy first half that featured 19 combined fouls and five yellow cards.

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How It Unfolded

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The opening half was intense and physical, with both teams eager to assert dominance early. Austin FC II struck first in the 30th minute when CJ Fodrey drew a penalty after being brought down by Ian Charles. Jorge Alastuey stepped up and calmly slotted home the opener for the visitors.

In the second half, Austin doubled their lead in the 71st minute after substitute Micah Burton lifted a composed finish past Harms, following a clever assist from Djaka Barro. Though Urzua’s goal seven minutes later gave North Texas renewed hope, they couldn't find the equalizer in the closing stages.

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Depth Tested for North Texas

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Notably absent from North Texas' starting XI were leading scorers Peter Grogan and Bryant Farkarlun, a gap that was felt throughout the match. In their place, CJ Fodrey and Diego Abarca were tasked with leading the line. Up top, Faisu Sangare returned from suspension but couldn’t spark the attack the way the team needed.

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Looking Ahead

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North Texas SC now sits at 6-5-2 (21 points), while Austin FC II improves to 3-4-5 (16 points). The DFW side will aim to bounce back quickly as they travel to face Colorado Rapids 2 at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium on Wednesday, June 18 at 9:00 PM CT. The Rapids 2 currently boast a 7-4-2 record and will provide another tough test for North Texas as they seek to reestablish momentum in the second half of the season.

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Key Takeaways:

• Alejandro Urzua scores his first goal of 2025.
• JT Harms sets a new career-high with five saves in net.
• North Texas struggles without key attackers in the lineup.
• Austin FC II capitalizes on early chances and tight defending.
• Derby defeat sets up a high-stakes midweek road matchup in Colorado.

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This derby showed that while North Texas SC has the depth and grit to stay competitive, they need their top scorers and consistent finishing to stay in the playoff picture. With strong performances from emerging players like Urzua and Harms, however, there are positive signs even in defeat.