Gallagher sent the capacity crowd into hysterics in the 28th minute, guiding a pass from Tomas Pochettino inside the left post with his left foot. It ended a stretch of nearly 210 minutes at the newly-christened stadium without a goal.
Gallagher initially played Pochettino out wide after receiving a back-heel pass from Cecilio Dominguez.
The wait for a second home goal was just five minutes. Former Timbers defender Julio Cascante won a 50-50 challenge at midfield, sending a powerful header back into the attacking third. Dominguez played quickly to Diego Fagundez, who took a touch into the box and directed his shot inside the right post to double Austin’s lead.
Referee Ted Unkel later went to the monitor for a lengthy Video Review to determine if Pablo Bonilla’s sliding challenge on Dominguez in the box after clearing the ball was worthy of a penalty kick.
No penalty was given, but the result was significant stoppage time, which the Timbers used to claw back a goal before the break. Marvin Loria was played into space behind Zan Kolmanic by a lobbed Diego Valeri pass, and the Costa Rican settled the ball before playing in front of goal. From there, Jeremy Ebobisse scored on a sliding finish from inside the six-yard box.
That goal finally arrived in the 77th minute when Alex Ring latched onto a Dominguez free kick and headed inside the far post. The first set-piece goal for Austin FC provided yet another memorable moment on a special night in Austin.
A fourth would follow by Jimenez four minutes later to cement the win and continue the deafening party.at Q2 Stadium.
