LAFC vs Austin FC Highlights
The Los Angeles Football Club made some history on their opening day at Banc of California Stadium as the LAFC vs Austin FC match ended with a 2-0 win for the Black & Gold. With the win, LAFC has achieved one of the strongest three-year starts of any expansion team in Major League Soccer history.
The match was even throughout the first half as LAFC wasn’t able to get their offense going. Unfortunately, Diego Rossi was held out of the game with a hamstring injury and Carlos Vela got hurt in the 22nd minute of the match as he twisted his right knee while going for a pass. Without the two 2019 and 2020 Golden Boot winners, LAFC had to turn it up.
The Black & Gold found their chemistry in the second half at the 61st minute as 2018 MLS Rookie of the Year Corey Baird, acquired from Real Salt Lake, scored his first goal for LAFC. Baird took a slightly missed pass from forward Danny Musovski on top of the penalty box and launched the ball past ATX goalkeeper Brad Stuver and inside of the left post.
LAFC’s own goalkeeper Pablo Sisnieega was incredible throughout the match with three big saves. The second goal in the LAFC vs Austin FC match came at 90’ off an interception where LAFC forward Kwadwo Opoku passed to midfielder José Cifuentes for the game-sealing goal for a 2-0 lead.
“You always want to start off the season with a win,” said LAFC forward Danny Musovski. “We knew Austin was a new team and they were going to come out with a lot of energy and they want to start their season off right. We just wanted to match that intensity.”
Since their debut in 2018, LAFC now takes the lead in regular-season wins, points, and goals in any team’s first three season openers. Their next match is at home on Saturday, April 24 against the Seattle Sounders FC.
