Match Preview - LAFC (Game 2)
Game Info
Kickoff: 7:55pm CT
Watch: FS1/Apple TV+
Location: Q2 Stadium - Austin, TX
All-Time H2H Record
Austin FC has a 4W-2D-8L record against LAFC.
Despite dropping Game 1 in this first round playoff series, Austin FC swept the pair of regular season games against LAFC with both victories being 1-0 results. If we’re looking purely at numbers on paper, then Austin FC fans should relish in the fact that the Verde and Black have secured eight of a potential 12 points off of LAFC in regular season contests dating back to the beginning of the 2024 season.
Those games were fun for fans and players alike, but regular season wins no longer count for much, as Austin FC must win to keep their season alive at Q2 Stadium this Sunday.
LAFC Recent Form
LAFC defended home field advantage on Wednesday in an ugly game that saw the Black and Gold eek out a 2-1 win over the upset-minded Austin FC. An unfortunate own goal in the 20th minute thwarted Austin’s initial plans, though ATX was still able to impress even some of the national writers with their effort.
Despite the final scoreline, Austin FC came to play. Their execution of an extremely defensive game plan kept LAFC uncomfortable for the majority of the night – as could be seen on the faces of the LAFC players and pointed out by the (biased, you suck Keith!) commentators. LAFC survived thanks to two deflected goals that proved enough to vanquish a scrappy Austin side. Add in a few unfortunate calls and it’s clear that the recipe for an upset was missing a few ingredients, luck included.
If you watched the game, which I hope you did, then I think you should have walked away proud of the effort put forth by our favorite team. Austin had most of the components to steal an important Game 1 on the road against a superior roster in LAFC. As ZG brought up on Episode 268, ATX was the biggest underdog at the sportsbooks across the eight Game 1’s last week and put out far from the worst performance of the road sides, almost pulling off what would have been a shocking victory around the MLS universe.
But almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. The effort put forth by Austin wasn’t quite enough to overcome the talent gap between these two teams, but there is something to be said for the way that Austin has found success limiting a typically potent LAFC attack in this regular season series (and in Game 1) since the start of 2024. While Son has not been around for long, Austin has found ways to stymie an always potent LAFC offense throughout the years, one that has been led by mainstay MVP-candidate Denis Bouanga flanked by a handful of legendary names like Carlos Vela, Gareth Bale, Olivier Giroud, and now Heung-Min Son.
Austin was extremely physical with LAFC in Game 1, particularly their two superstars. Corralling both players is a tall task, but ATX was aggressive all night long (literally right from the first whistle with Ilie Sanchez putting Son on his ass immediately) and largely mitigated the potential threat that those two dynamic players present. LAFC will certainly look to find more space in the attack for those two to work their magic in Game 2.
With Austin unable to find a second goal that would have pushed the game to penalty kicks, the front-running fans from Los Angeles were able to go home happy without assaulting anyone in the parking lot after the game.
Austin FC Recent Form
As I talked about on Episode 267, I believe the starting lineup Nico rolled out is the one that gives Austin the best chance to upset this juggernaut, and I expect to see it again come Sunday. The main reason why I feel so confident in that take is because Austin just doesn’t have too many other options. With the injuries to Brandon Vazquez and Diego Rubio, this roster just doesn’t have the available offensive depth required to compete with a team like LAFC in a high scoring affair.
With that in mind, expect a very similar gameplan from Austin. The approach should be an ultra conservative one that tries to make LAFC play with the ball and attempt to break down an organized ATX backline. We saw what early goals can do in this contest on both sides when Guilherme Biro found one early in the regular season game in March and Ryan Hollingshead secured one within the first 20 minutes of Game 1. It changes the game and makes the team who didn’t score make their first move out of their comfort zone.
When in possession, Austin was calm and calculated, maybe to a fault, but in my opinion this approach needs to be embraced by fans in this matchup to protect ourselves against the lethal Los Angeles counter attack.
On top of the conservative approach, we should also want Austin to be just as physical with LAFC’s dynamic attacking front as they were on Wednesday, if not moreso. Multiple times in Game 1 we saw Son on his ass, courtesy of a hard playoff foul from one of Austin FC’s defenders. Whatever LAFC gets from this game and this series, you have to make them earn it. I believe that Austin FC largely accomplished that, even in defeat, in the game at BMO Stadium on Wednesday.
One way or another, Austin is fighting for their lives in the 2025 campaign and will need to leave everything they have out on the field – there’s just no way around it. Hopefully, a few calls and balls can bounce our way that help us generate more opportunities to score goals.
Speaking about opportunities, I hope that both of Austin’s designated players, Osman Bukari (who is questionable with an ankle injury) and Myrto Uzuni, ratchet up their aggression going forward and put LAFC defenders in uncomfortable positions as much as they can. They’re going to have limited opportunities and forcing the issue is the best chance we have to score some goals versus a stout defensive line. Make them work!
As long as this team leaves it all out there on Sunday night, I will be satisfied with the result. The team Austin is playing is uber talented, and this season has been a success thus far, so I can live with the results as long as this team shows up ready for what may look more like a bar fight than a soccer match. I’ll go down with the ship one way or another, but I hope to see an inspired, confident Austin club that knows that they can play with this LAFC team. Forcing a Game 3 next weekend would put every ounce of pressure onto LAFC.
Injury Report
ATX:
Osman Bukari (Questionable - Ankle)
Diego Rubio (Out - Hamstring)
Brandon Vazquez (Out - Knee)
LAFC:
Aaron Long (Out - Achilles)
Igor Jesus (Out - Knee)
Odin Holm (Out - Leg)
LAFC Players to Watch
Heung-Min Son - How courteous of ZG to write up Mark Delgado in his Game 1 breakdown and leave me the big guns for Game 2! We saw how many Son jerseys littered the stands at Q2 Stadium three weeks ago when LAFC was last in town and he wasn’t even playing due to international duty. I expect a significant contingent of LAFC/Son fans at this match and for good reason. Though we should get the chance to see Son come through Austin again for a regular season match next year, it’s always fun to watch some of the world’s greatest whenever you can. A former EPL Golden Boot winner, Son is still the most important opposing player to focus on defensively and while it’s going to be cool to see him play in person, Sunday would be a great time for him to have his worst game of the year.
Austin FC Keys to the Game
Let It All Hang Out - From here on out every single game is potentially the last game of the season in 2025, so for however long this season stays alive I expect the players to empty the tank so there’s no remorse moving forward. Despite the ups and downs of the season, I have loved watching this club all year and I firmly believe that we can hang with an LAFC opponent that is much more talented than us on paper. Finding a way to win is going to be ugly, but I’ll live with that as long as we live to fight another day. Keep these pretty boys from LA as frustrated as possible and you’ll find yourself there in the end with a chance to make a decisive action on this game. Either way, VERDE HASTA LA MUERTE – LET 'S RIDE!
Predictions
ZG - 2-2 Austin FC wins in PKs
E - 1-1 Austin FC wins in PKs
