After a rough road trip that saw them drop both of their matches, LAFC were back at home and looking to right the ship in the early stages of the season. While the team have done enough to stay alive in the Champions Cup as they await their April meeting in the quarterfinals with Inter Miami, it has come at the cost of MLS league form. While not sitting at the bottom of the table, LAFC came into this match having won two of their three MLS matches. Sure, the record isn’t bad at all, but when you add the context of how they have looked, even in the wins, it’s hard to feel like this is the same potent, dangerous team, that we are used to. Which is what made Saturday so important, a chance against a struggling Austin side, that really shouldn’t be close to your level, at home, was an opportunity for the club to give us a statement win and go into a longer week without matches, with some added confidence.
Final. #LAFCvATX pic.twitter.com/btYPlhEqb4
— LAFC (@LAFC) March 15, 2025
In our preview, we talked about the importance of LAFC making sure they come out with their defense ready, to avoid any possible early haymakers from the visitors. Unfortunately, they may not have read that part, as it only took 11 minutes for the Texas side to take the lead. On the first corner of the match, Guilherme Biro was able to get a glancing header on the ball into the box that found its way past the outstretched Lloris and somehow ended up in the back of the net.
.@AustinFC take the early lead off the corner. 👌#MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/xPBIvqShdN pic.twitter.com/DNcDww84lH
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 15, 2025
The rest of the match was like a bad dream for LAFC. The team struggled mightily for the rest of the first half. Finishing the half with seven shots, but only one on target, despite holding over 70% of the possession. Nothing seemed to work, the attack seemed to fizzle out before getting going and as time went on, it felt more and more like either LAFC would get a moment of brilliance to level it and sneak a point or they would suffer through 80 minutes of scoreless football, chasing the game and praying for a call to go their way. They chose the latter.
“The fatigue is clear to see” said Head Coach Steve Cherundolo after the match. “It’s not an excuse, nor do we want to change that. We prefer playing multiple games in multiple competitions, so this is the challenge that we took on, and it is a challenge.” That challenge continued in the second half where the team didn’t fair much better, but did at least come close to sneaking the point at home. In the 60th minute, the best chance of the night for Los Angeles came via Denis Bouanga who was picked out far post by an excellent pass. After dealing with the defender, Bouanga had a point-blank shot at goal but Stuver was there to shut the chance down and preserve the clean sheet, and eventual win, for his side.
Stuuuuuuuuver. 🧤
Big save to deny Bouanga and preserve the shutout. pic.twitter.com/Yvvkq5je4e
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 15, 2025
The team would fail to get another really good chance at goal, and in the end, the early score was all Austin FC needed as a team that is absolutely used to, and happy with, playing extremely defensive and essentially throwing a block down low and making you suffer. They did that to LAFC and were able to leave Los Angeles with all three points. The loss is the first one at home this year for the black & gold. It is also their third loss in a row, and their second straight MLS loss. While it’s still far too early to worry about standings, it is concerning seeing LAFC sitting with a -2 Goal Differential after the first handful of matches played.
Now, the team get some much needed rest with no matches at the midweek. They get back to Champions Cup play in April, so they get to enjoy a week of training and recovery before hitting the road for their next match. The next one is another that, on paper, LAFC should get past fairly easily. A trip to the midwest to take on Sporting KC, a team that will be looking for some revenge after the US Open Cup Finals loss to LA last season. The real question, until it gets answered, is where will the offense come from? As much as LA want to play a defensive-focused style of football, you still need goals to win matches. Even the infamously boring George Graham, who made 1-0 results a way of life during his time at Arsenal, knew you couldn’t always go in planning on winning with just one goal scored. Time for LAFC to accept that same lesson, and get back to scoring goals consistently if they hope to finish the season with silverware above their heads.
Thoughts on the loss at the weekend? Leave a comment below!