Sun 20 June 2021, 20:49
Tottenham HotspurOn-loan goalkeeper Brandon Austin made a winning debut for MLS side Orlando City on Saturday night, helping his team register a 3-2 victory against Toronto FC.
The 22-year-old Academy product, who linked up with the American outfit in January, completed the full 90 minutes at Exploria Stadium as the Lions saw an early two-goal lead pegged back before half-time, before snatching a winner six minutes from the end.
Former Viborg FF loanee Brandon, who has been named in our first team matchday squad on a handful of occasions over the last couple of seasons, had been an unused substitute for Orlando’s first seven games of the MLS campaign, with Pedro Gallese preferred between the sticks.
But with the 31-year-old away captaining Peru at the Copa America, the talented young keeper seized his chance with a solid display in what was technically an away game for Orlando, as Toronto continue to share their facilities.
To now get this opportunity that I’ve worked hard for is really pleasing.
“It felt really good to make my debut – it was a crazy game, very eventful, so to come out of it with a win was really good and it made the moment even more enjoyable,” Brandon told us from across the Atlantic on Sunday.
“The team and everyone around the club have made me feel welcome since I’ve arrived here, so to now get this opportunity that I’ve worked hard for is really pleasing, especially again because we won the game and it was a really important three points.”
Having lived on his own in Denmark last season in the midst of the Coronavirus shutdown, how is Brandon finding his first few months in the United States?
“In terms of my experience here, I’m enjoying it,” he added. “I’m learning all the time and I feel it’s definitely helping me to develop as a player. We have some great players in the squad and players with a lot of professional experience, so I’ve been trying to learn as much as I can from them. Everything is going well and I’m enjoying my time here a lot.”
Orlando City return to action at home to San Jose Earthquakes on Tuesday evening (12.30am Wednesday UK time).
