The MLS Playoffs are finally here! After a couple of one-sided Wild Card matches, and some thrilling starts to the opening round for other sides, it’s time for LAFC to round out Round One as they get set to host Austin FC in Game One of their MLS Cup run. The team looks to shake off their semifinal elimination from last postseason, and put on a much better cup run this time around. The biggest difference with this team, is that they now have Denis Bouanga riding the form of his life, alongside Son Heung-Min who came from Europe bringing all the goals with him. An attack with the potency we haven’t seen since 2022, looks to repeat the ending of that season, with the team lifting the championship high above their heads. First, however, they need to get past an Austin FC side that has already shown, they don’t mind crossing enemy lines and coming away with a win.
Matchday: #LAFCvATX
⏰ 7:30PM
🏟️ @BMOStadium
🖥️ @AppleTV with #MLSSeasonPass
🎧 @ESPNLosAngeles & K-Radio 1230
🇰🇷 Spotv & Coupang Play pic.twitter.com/vkWkP4tf79— LAFC (@LAFC) October 29, 2025
This is just the second time Austin FC has reached the postseason in their brief history here in MLS, and for the second time, they meet LAFC. Austin had gotten the better of Los Angeles during the regular season, coming away with the season sweep winning both matches by a scoreline of 1-0. Now, they get set to come into Los Angeles to kickoff a best-of-3 series that will determine who moves onto the knockout rounds of the postseason. Overall, Austin is in some pretty bad form. Sure, they got the win over LAFC in one of their final regular season matches, but that was the only win in their final five matches to close out the season. The other four were losses, which makes them even more dangerous. This is one of the few teams that absolutely has no fear coming into Los Angeles. While they may have only won four of their 13 meetings with Los Angeles, two of those wins came in LA. Now, they have a chance to really shock the league, and return the postseason elimination favor to the black and gold, but they will have to once again do what few teams seem to do consistently enough, beat LA at home.
Coming into the postseason on a bit of the reverse form, LAFC have only lost one match of their final five, though the regular season finale was a 2-2 draw on the road against Colorado Rapids. If there has been an obvious achilles heel for LAFC this year, it’s been their road form. They’ve only lost four away from home, but they also only have six wins with seven draws. Stats aside, they also look like a far worst team away from home than they do playing in LA. That said, they do hold the home field advantage in this series with two of the three set to be played at BMO, but of course the team will be hoping it doesn’t even get to a third game. Winning the opening match will set the tone needed to help push this team on their run. The last time they faced off against Austin FC in the postseason was 2022, the year they went all the way and won the cup, with that match also being at home. A semifinal win that saw they get past the Texas side 3-0. That is the energy they need to be on for this match. After losing both to Austin during the regular season, the last thing this team wants to do is let them get confidence with another win in Los Angeles.
One interesting part to tonight will be the atmosphere. Usually, we can count on a sold out, completely packed BMO that rains noise on opponents and makes it the fortress that it has grown into. Even during the midweek, if it’s a playoff match, you can usually bet it will be 22k strong and vivacious. However, this time it will be a bit different. The thing about LA sports is you have options, and a hierarchy, with no teams more clearer favorites than the Dodgers. Especially when championships are on the line, and that is exactly the case tonight because as LAFC get set to kickoff their MLS Playoff run, the Dodgers will be just a freeway drive away, battling against the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 5 of the World Series. That’s not to say BMO will be a ghost town, that will absolutely not be the case, but it is an interesting layer to this very important Game 1 of the MLS Playoffs for LAFC. Even still, expect BMO to be as loud as ever, even if a couple of thousand decide not to turn up.
How To Watch
After another rollercoaster regular season, the slate is wiped clean and the real season begins, MLS Playoffs. LAFC hold the home field advantage for the best-of-3 series in Round One, with kickoff tonight set for 7:30pm PT from BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The match will be broadcast live and can be seen FOR FREE WITHOUT SUBSCRIPTION on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Those looking to listen on radio can find the match on 710AM ESPN, as well as Korean broadcasting on K-Radio 1230, with Spanish broadcasting on 980AM LA Mera Mera.
Thoughts as the team kickoff their postseason run? Leave a comment below!