Midweek was full of madness around the MLS, but for LAFC in their season finale at home, it was the night they finally clinched their spot in the playoffs. Now, the team hit the road to close out the season, first going up against the always tough Austin FC who are still very much fighting for a spot in the postseason. While losing wont see them out the playoffs, this is still a team that need all the points they can get in order to improve upon their position in the standings and seeding for the revamped playoff tournament.
We’re underway in Austin. ðŸ¤
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You can always expect fireworks when these two face off and this match wasted little time with formalities. LAFC opened up scoring first courtesy of the man with the hot foot, Denis Bouanga, and his well-timed pass in the box to midfielder Timothy Tillman who got just enough on it as he went to ground to sneak it past the post for the lead.
Himothy strikes first.
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For most of the half it looked as if Austin had settled into the match and were looking to equalize, however they couldn’t get to the half down just a goal. In the final minutes of the first 45 LAFC were awarded a penalty. The Golden Boot chasing Bouanga stepped up to the spot and doubled the lead for the visitors just before the halftime break.
Score. Flip. Repeat.
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— LAFC (@LAFC) October 8, 2023
Out to prove he isn’t some penalty merchant, Bouanga got his brace, giving LAFC their third of the night, from open play. A great ball to lead Bogusz opened up the attack and the former found a streaking Bouanga and sent a great ball across the box to find Denis far post, who tapped it in for yet another goal to add to his already massive pile this season.
1⃣9⃣ FOR 9⃣9⃣
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The lead only grew late in the match, as it looked like Denis Bouanga was about to secure yet another hat trick, but his wide open effort was met with an even better effort from the goalkeeper to keep him out. However, Cristian Olivera showed why following shots is always the way to go, cleaning up the rebound and giving LAFC four goals on the night.
¡GOOOOOOOOOOOLIVERA! 🇺🇾
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Not looking to be shutout at home, Austin finally got on the board with an amazing effort in the 75th minute. A nice ball into the box was headed perfectly by Austin defender, Leo Vaisanen, as he sent the ball into the back of the net for the first goal of the night for the home side. The goal was the first club goal for the defender as well.
Leo Väisänen scores his first MLS goal and @AustinFC pulls one back. pic.twitter.com/6in9qTC5kN
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 8, 2023
In the final seconds of this one, Austin got a second goal on the night. Unfortunately for LAFC it was courtesy of a Chiellini own goal. Luckily the defender was able to laugh off the moment, knowing it made no significant difference in the results tonight.
Austin had the last goal of the match, but LAFC got the last laugh with the big win on the road and the full three points. The loss also eliminated Austin from playoff contention. This was the second win in a row for LAFC, as they are picking the best time to start playing a lot better than they have been this season. The black & gold will wrap up the regular season on Saturday, October 21st, on the road against Vancouver Whitecaps. With homefield still in the cards for part of the playoffs, it will be a match LAFC will be looking to win.
Thoughts on the result tonight? Leave a comment below!