LAFC falters at Austin

A lost opportunity for LAFC? it sure looks like it.

Riding a six-match winning streak heading into Sunday evening’s match with chance to move further up the Western Conference standings, LAFC certainly played as if they wanted to improve its playoff seeding. LAFC had a 55 percent possession rate and outshot Austin 5-3.

Unfortunately for LAFC, the one thing it did not get was the win. Austin made sure to capitalize on the few chances it had, with the big strike being Owen Wolff’s 83rd minute goal, and Austin FC ended LAFC’s magical run with the 1-0 win at Q2 Stadium.

The loss combined with the Vancouver Whitecaps’ win at Orlando City eliminates any chance for LAFC (17-8-8, 59 points) of finishing first in the conference. Vancouver took over the top spot and are four points ahead of LAFC heading into the final weekend. LAFC can still finish second in the West if they defeat the Colorado Rapids on Saturday and San Diego FC loses to the Portland Timbers.

Despite being limited in chances and possession, it was Austin FC that achieved the breakthrough in the 83rd. Žan Kolmanič sent a corner kick into the penalty area, the ball deflected off LAFC defender Eddie Segura inside the six-yard box and Wolff swooped in and headed a ball into the back net at point-blank range to vault Austin into the lead.

LAFC had the better chances in the match. Its’ first chance came in the 40th minute, as Shane Palencia crossed into the penalty area, Austin defender Mateja Djordjevic cut off the cross by heading a ball onto the pitch, LAFC’ Robert Porteous kept the play alive and thus set up an unmarked Jeremy Ebobissie with a golden opportunity inside the box, but Ebobissie skied the chance into the stands.

LAFC kept up the pressure in the second half. Andrew Moran had a chance in the 58th minute, as he received a ball from Frankie Amaya, and let loose a right-footed volley from about 25 yards out, but Austin keeper Brad Stuver denied the chance and Djordjevic cleared the ball out of the penalty area. Nkosi Tafari had a shot himself, as he won possession deep inside Austin’s side of the field, then decided to take matters into his own hands, as he dribbled all the way down the right side, sidestepping Austin’s Guilherme Biro in the process, Tafari eventually got inside the penalty area and fired a right-footed shot at goal, but Stuver made the save off his right foot.

While LAFC applied the pressure on offense, its defense managed to contain Austin FC’s attack for a great deal of the match. Austin did not get its first real shot at a goal until the 59th minute, as Wolff passed to Jon Gallagher, who then fired a right-footed shot just outside the penalty area, but LAFC keeper Hugo Lloris made the save.