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LAFC gets by Austin in playoff opener

Photo courtesy of LAFC

It’s that time of year where all that matters with the result.

Being that last two teams to open its playoff run on Wednesday night, third-seeded LAFC and sixth-seeded Austin FC started off their respective playoff runs at BMO Stadium on Wednesday night. Austin FC won the last meeting between the two teams in Austin as LAFC was without its two stars Sun-Heung Min and Denis Bouanga, and even though both players were back for the playoffs, Austin showed it was not going to be a mere pushover in this playoff matchup.

Fortunately for LAFC, they had a little something in reserve. Nathan Ordaz, who had entered as a substitute early in the second half, provided the deciding moment, as his goal in the 79th minute was all LAFC needed to draw first blood, taking game one 2-1 in downtown LA.

“I see other players also creating moments, so it’s always going to be a collective effort. It’s somewhat natural and logical that the two forwards that are furthest up the field are going to be the ones that finish the play, ” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said. “It’s really important that we as a collective are dangerous and I thought we did a good job tonight with some deeper runs from our midfielders, Marco [Delgado], Timmy [Tillman].”

Tied at one, and with the uncertainty of a penalty shootout looking increasingly likely, LAFC went on one more attack and made it paid off. Marky Delgado threaded a ball far to Son, who then led a break from the middle lane. Son fought off a challenge from Dani Pereira as he took the ball into the penalty area, Son passed left to Bouanga, who took a shot that was deflected, but went forward, got past keeper Brad Stuver and went towards the far post, and Nathan Ordaz, who had joined the break from the right side, came in and tapped the ball into the open net to put LAFC back in front. Austin argued that Ordaz was offside, but the flag stayed down, and while VAR wasn’t used, replays showed that Ordaz managed to keep himself onside on Son’s ball to Bouanga.

“I just didn’t know if it was going in or not,” Ordaz said. “I still don’t know if it was going in or not. But once I touched it, I realized I may or may not be onsides. So I didn’t want to look like a dirtbag honestly.”

LAFC relied on some good fortune to open its playoff scoring. Marky Delgado passed to an unmarked Ryan Hollingshead, who then took the ball inside the penalty area, sidestepped Oleksandr Svatok, took the ball to the end line, then fired a shot on goal that deflected off Austin defender Brendan Hines-Ike and went into the back net that was credited as an Austin own goal.

“They’re stingy with what they give up,” Hollingshead said of playing Austin. “They love being the low block. They’re so comfortable being there, but I still think we created a lot of good chances. There were a lot of moments where we could have been a little bit better in the final pass, the final finish. We need to have a little more street smarts there and be more confident, you know making one last pass, one last decision in the box. I think the team was confident we were going to pull out the win, which is great and what you need in those matches.”

Austin however made sure LAFC didn’t get further ahead, snuffing out several more LAFC chances, then finally catching them in the 63rd minute. Mikkel Desler sent a ball into the penalty area, the ball was touched by Myrto Uzuni and Owen Wolff inside the box, and Wolff’s touch was decisive, as he played a ball to an open Jon Gallagher, who slotted the shot past keeper Hugo Lloris far post for the equalizer.