Match Preview - LAFC
Game Info
Kickoff: 6:09pm CT
Watch: Apple TV+
Location: Q2 Stadium - Austin, TX
All-Time H2H Record
Austin FC has a 3W-2D-7L record against LAFC.
The first time these two teams met in 2025 was back in late March in Los Angeles, a 1-0 road victory for Austin FC on the back of an early Guilherme Biro goal and some stellar defense from the entire team. It was the first time that Austin FC recorded a clean sheet against LAFC.
Though LAFC has been the dominant team on paper in this head-to-head matchup, there have been some memorable moments forever etched in the memories of die-hard fans of the Verde and Black, the most prominent of which is the 4-1 home victory in August of 2022 against a Garreth Bale, Chicho Arango and Carlos Vela led Los Angeles attacking front.
LAFC Recent Form
This LAFC team is in a radically different place from the last time we previewed this fixture back in July. Gone are the likes of Oliver Giroud, Maxime Chanot, Marlon and Javairo Dilrosun after a busy summer transfer window, something that is commonplace for LAFC, one of the most successful clubs in MLS since their expansion season in 2018.
The inbound transfers were league-altering. Not only did the Black and Gold acquire centerback Ryan Porteous from Watford, midfielder Mathieu Choiniere on loan from Grasshoppers and sign former La Liga midfielder Jailson off the free agent pile, they also broke the MLS transfer record with a $26.5 million acquisition of former Tottenham forward Heung-Min Son.
“Sonny” has taken the league by storm in his first two months stateside, recording eight goals and three assists in his nine MLS appearances. In that time he’s become LAFC’s second leading goal scorer on the season and has the club on the longest active winning streak in the league at six games and counting. Son and MVP candidate Denis Bouanga have formed a deadly pairing up front for Los Angeles. They are also both going to miss this game for international duty, a blessing for Austin FC’s chances to earn all three points at home on Sunday night.
Before both departed for their respective national teams after last Sunday’s win over Atlanta United, the Son & Bouanga pairing had accounted for 18 straight LAFC goals dating back to August 23rd. Their absences, along with Choiniere and forward Nathan Ordaz, didn’t slow down the Black and Gold against Toronto FC on Wednesday night, picking up a 2-0 win behind goals from Jeremy Ebobisse and Frankie Amaya.
This team is incredibly deep for MLS and heaps of credit can be given to general manager John Thorrington (who is the only individual to serve in the role for the club) for the consistency displayed by LAFC over the years. We discussed names like Aaron Long and Igor Jesus, who are both on the season ending injury list, on Episode 263 previewing this match. We also talked about key pieces like Mark Delgado and David Martinez, who can be overlooked at times on this loaded roster.
But even then, the list of impressive talents on this roster just keeps going, and if I’m being honest is much longer than I really care to highlight in too much depth here, mostly out of jealously. Don’t be surprised if you see guys like Sergi Palencia, Timothy Tillman or Ryan Hollingshead making impact plays on the pitch at Q2 on Sunday night. Oh yeah, they’ve also got a man by the name of Hugo Lloris in net. While the all-time leader in appearances for the French national team is past his prime, he’s got a staunch defense in front of him that has helped lead LAFC to the least xG conceded in 2025.
LAFC’s offense (fourth in goals scored per game) is as elite as their defense (fourth in goals against per game). They lead MLS in shots on target per game, are eighth in total xG (with a game in hand on the majority of the league) and ninth in big chances created.
The one departure in 2025 from the typical Steve Cherundolo coached team is their possession stats. Usually his teams like to give the opponent the ball, daring them to break down the elite defense Los Angeles has constructed before taking their chances on the counter attack with superior offensive talent. This season, LAFC is 8th in average possession, up from 23rd last year. Interestingly, it hasn’t hurt LAFC’s stats, but when you look closer you see the answer.
It’s Son. As I mentioned earlier, his arrival was league-altering and he might just be the “best” player in the league at the moment. He’s certainly on par with names like Messi and Evander in the small nine-game sample we have. He’s unlocked Bouanga, creating one of the most potent two-man attacking pairings this league has ever seen.
Luckily for Austin FC, those two will have to wait for their first attempt to terrorize the Verde faithful at Q2 Stadium, at least until a potential playoff meeting between these two clubs in a few weeks.
Austin FC Recent Form
It’s great for Austin’s chances that they won’t have to deal with the fearsome attacking pair for LAFC. The absences of Ordaz and Choiniere are also notable. But the Verde and Black will be shorthanded as well due a number of international call-ups of their own.
ATX will be without DP striker Myrto Uzuni (Albania) along with centerbacks Oleksandr Svatok (Ukraine) and Julio Cascante (Costa Rica). Verde fans did get some welcome news midweek, as it was confirmed that midfielder Dani Pereira had turned down a call-up to his native Venezuela, instead opting to stay in Austin to aid the playoff seeding push.
It’s easy to see how head coach Nico Estévez is likely to navigate the backline changes, with Brendan Hines-Ike and Mateja Djordjevic still in town. Guilherme Biro will return from his yellow card suspension served against St. Louis City SC last Saturday night and Mikkel Desler (who has dealt with hip tightness for over a month) was shown fully participating in practice this week through the team’s social media posts.
But how Austin will line up in front remains a question mark. With Uzuni overseas, the two most likely fill-ins are Diego Rubio and CJ Fodrey. I think the former is more likely to get the starting nod, with Fodrey’s services being a great fit for late game action, no matter the score.
Pulling Rubio forward will create another void to fill in the attacking midfield. Owen Wolff should slide back centrally to assume duties behind Rubio, leaving the left wing open for the likes of Jáder Obrian, Jon Gallagher and Robert Taylor (on second thought, no way is he making a start if he hasn’t already). Though none of them get me excited, my personal preference would be Gallagher. But either way, there’s no easy answer for Estévez, at least from my view outside of that locker room.
Just like last Saturday against St. Louis, Austin FC has the chance to win and clinch the sixth seed in the Western Conference. They can also clinch the seventh seed with a loss or draw, as long as Real Salt Lake loses to Seattle Sounders (very plausible) and FC Dallas loses to LA Galaxy (unlikely, on paper). Austin will clinch the eighth seed and homefield advantage in the wild card game if just one of those two teams lose this weekend.
Hopefully, everyone’s favorite team can just keep it simple and clinch the sixth seed with a home win against LAFC. Not only would that mark a season sweep of LAFC for the second time in four years, but locking up the six spot would also present Austin FC with a chance to rest and rotate on Decision Day at San Jose. With the crappy nature of the pitch at PayPal Park, it would be very fortunate to not have to push for a result next weekend.
Injury Report
ATX:
Diego Rubio (Questionable - Hamstring)
Myrto Uzuni (Out - International Duty)
Oleksandr Svatok (Out - International Duty)
Julio Cascante (Out - International Duty)
Micah Burton (Out - International Duty)
Brandon Vazquez (Out - Knee)
LAFC:
Heung-Min Son (Out - International Duty)
Denis Bouanga (Out - International Duty)
Nathan Ordaz (Out - International Duty)
Mathieu Choiniere (Out - International Duty)
Aaron Long (Out - Achilles)
Igor Jesus (Out - Knee)
Odin Holm (Out - Leg)
LAFC Players to Watch
Jeremy Ebobisse - The “Dreaded Ebobisse” as he’s been known for years here in The North End, LAFC’s backup striker has struggled to stay healthy this season. Coming into 2025, the 28-year old forward had recorded a goal contribution in all eight career games against Austin during his time with Portland Timbers and San Jose Earthquakes. The 1-0 ATX win back in March was his first appearance against the Verde and Black that he hadn’t recorded a contribution. Ebobisse returned from injury last Sunday against Atlanta United before drawing the start against Toronto FC on Wednesday night. It didn’t take him long to show that he’s back in good form, putting the winning goal past Sean Johnson in the 13th minute.
Austin FC Keys to the Game
Grit N’ Grind - To borrow from the Memphis Grizzlies, it sure feels like the Verde and Black will need a little bit of the grit n’ grind to scratch out a victory on Saturday. With both teams missing their best attacking players, this match has an odd vibe to it, even before the first whistle blows. What should maintain for each of these teams is their staunch defense. For all the praise I gave LAFC’s back line earlier, ATX have been up there with the best of them in 2025. Both clubs are in the top ten for goals conceded per game, and with 38.7% of the league goals scored between these two squads away for the international break, we should expect this match to be a bit ugly offensively. Grind it out!
Predictions
ZG - 2-0 Austin FC
E - 1-0 Austin FC
