Austin FC edged out Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) with a 1-0 victory on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at BMO Stadium, marking another notable chapter in their early MLS season.
The match, which saw LAFC return to their home pitch after some testing games, was characterized by defensive resilience on Austin’s part and missteps from LAFC's offense. Austin’s Guilherme Biro scored the deciding goal early on, expertly heading the ball past LAFC's goalkeeper Hugo Lloris after a corner taken by Owen Wolff. This moment secured Biro’s first goal of the season and added to Austin's streak of 1-0 results throughout their games this season.
“It was the best performance yet; the team executed our game plan perfectly,” stated Wolff, highlighting the synergy present on the pitch between the players.
Despite their past challenges—including consecutive losses against the Seattle Sounders where LAFC conceded five goals—this match provided both teams with the opportunity to demonstrate their current form. Coming off their first loss of the year, LAFC aimed to regain momentum as they hosted their Texas rivals. Unfortunately for the Black & Gold, they struggled to create quality chances against the packed midfield of Austin FC.
Even with the addition of new Designated Player Cengiz Ünder, who made his first start for LAFC, the team found it difficult to break through Austin's organized defense. Ünder conceded, “We need to create more chances; we didn’t find our rhythm today,” emphasizing the need for improvement moving forward.
LAFC's inability to score can, at least partially, be attributed to the standout performance from Austin's goalkeeper, Brad Stuver, who earned his second clean sheet of the season. Stuver showcased his talent with three key saves, demonstrating his reliability to secure the match for Austin. “I was just doing my job,” Stuver reflected modestly after another solid performance.
The game also marked the return of Ilie Sánchez to BMO Stadium as he donned the green and black of Austin FC, having previously captained LAFC. His significant presence was felt throughout the game as he helped orchestrate gameplay from the midfield, cementing Austin's tactical advantage.
With this victory, Austin FC improved to 2-2-0, marking their resurgence and confirming their scoring capability. Meanwhile, LAFC, now at 2-2-0, faces pressing questions about how to convert close games like this one. They will need to immediately regroup as they head to Sporting Kansas City next Saturday.
Reflecting on the performance against Austin FC, LAFC will spend the upcoming week refining their strategies, focusing primarily on their offensive plays as they prepare for their next contests. Cengiz Ünder, proud of his contributions, looks forward to building chemistry with his teammates to improve their offensive output.
Looking forward, Austin FC will host San Diego FC on March 23, 2025, as they strive to maintain their upward momentum. Both teams are eager to take the lessons learned from this match and apply them to their upcoming performances.
The final result emphasizes the delicate balance of success and failure within the league; as teams adjust and conditions evolve, every match holds potential for change. For fans, this match not only showcased the competitive spirit of both Austin FC and LAFC but also sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting continuation of the MLS season.