It’s another afternoon delight for LAFC as they return to MLS action today, hosting Austin FC. The club are now seeing the other side of their early-season packed schedule, as they can rest a bit easier knowing the next round of Champions Cup isn’t until the start of April. That said, the club can’t rest too much, as the black & gold come into this match needing to shake off their early season struggles and avoid finding themselves in a three match winless run should they fail to get the win today.
Matchday: #LAFCvATX
⏰ 12:30 PM PT
🏟️ @BMOStadium
🖥️ @AppleTV with #MLSSeasonPass
📺 @FOXTV
🎧 @ESPNLosAngeles pic.twitter.com/Jbkbgo03mM— LAFC (@LAFC) March 15, 2025
Austin FC come into Los Angeles themselves looking to rebound from their start to the 2025 MLS campaign. The Texas side has won just one match in their first three, with two losses in their last two outings. More intriguing, every match they have played in has ended in a 1-0 result. First match of the season was a 1-0 win over Sporting KC, while the last two matches have seen them lose 0-1 to Portland Timbers and Colorado Rapids, respectively. The low scoring to start the season also makes it hard to point out a dangerous opponent to watch for, as nobody has really caught any form to start the season, though the same could be said about LAFC at the moment. There will be one player on Austin FC that will be really familiar to LAFC fans, as former Captain, midfielder Ilie Sanchez, makes his return to BMO after departing the team in the offseason.
“Should be a positive emotion, we had great success together” said LAFC Head Coach Steve Cherundolo when speaking to media about facing Ilie for the first time since his departure. “Personally, I’m looking forward to seeing him. Not looking forward to seeing him as an opponent because he is a good and smart player. I think Austin picked up a great player.”
LAFC come into this match nursing a two match losing run, as they look to snap that streak now that they are back at home after the short road trip. Probably more concerning than the results, is the way the team have looked in attack. A squad full of players with immense talent, can’t seem to find a player in these early stages to step up and carry the attack. Today, the team face an Austin side that will absolutely just sit back and let LAFC pressure them until they either crack, or hit Los Angeles on a counter that leads to a stunning result. “Austin are a team that feels comfortable sitting in that low block, not having showed pressing higher up the field” said Steve Cherundolo. “It’s a tough task. We’ll see what approach they take, stepping up a little higher or sitting a little deeper and we will have solutions for both approaches.”
How To Watch
Another afternoon delight in MLS action for LAFC as today’s match against Austin FC is set for a 12:45pm PT kickoff from BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. The match will be broadcast live and can be seen on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, and FOX. Those looking to listen on radio can find the match on 710AM ESPN, with Spanish broadcasting on 980AM LA Mera Mera.
Thoughts ahead of the home match today? Leave a comment below!