LAFC Edge Austin FC 2–1 in Playoff Opener at BMO Stadium
A Confident Start at BMO Stadium
Los Angeles FC opened their 2025 MLS Cup Playoff campaign with a 2–1 victory over Austin FC on Wednesday night at BMO Stadium, taking a 1–0 lead in their best-of-three Round One series.
A mix of playoff composure, squad depth, and late-game resilience helped LAFC protect home field once again — a vital first step toward advancing to the Western Conference Semifinals.
First Half: Pressure and Fortune Favor the Hosts
LAFC wasted no time asserting control in front of a packed BMO crowd. The early stages were filled with intensity — high pressing, quick transitions, and relentless runs from Denis Bouanga down the left flank.
Their breakthrough came in the 20th minute. Defender Ryan Hollingshead surged into the box and fired a low cross that took a wicked deflection off Austin’s Brendan Hines-Ike, wrong-footing goalkeeper Brad Stuver for an own goal.
From there, LAFC kept the tempo high. Timothy Tillman and Mark Delgado dictated possession in midfield, while Hugo Lloris (making his first MLS postseason start) stayed largely untroubled in goal.
Despite LAFC’s dominance, Austin managed to hang on, and the half ended 1–0 — a slim lead that didn’t reflect LAFC’s control.
Second Half: Austin Fights Back
Austin FC emerged from halftime with renewed energy. Manager Josh Wolff pushed his team higher up the field, and the adjustment paid off.
In the 63rd minute, a loose clearance by LAFC center-back Nkosi Tafari found Myrto Uzuni, who linked up beautifully with Owen Wolff before Jon Gallagher finished cleanly into the bottom corner — bringing Austin level at 1–1.
The equalizer stunned BMO Stadium and momentarily shifted momentum. Austin began to find rhythm in possession, forcing Hollingshead and Porteous into key defensive interventions to prevent a complete turnaround.
Ordaz Delivers the Winner
With the game hanging in the balance, Steve Cherundolo turned to his bench — and his decision proved crucial.
In the 79th minute, substitute Nathan Ordaz, the 20-year-old forward, capitalized on a deflected shot from Denis Bouanga and poked home from close range. The ball’s ricochet fell kindly, but Ordaz’s anticipation and composure were that of a veteran.
His goal reignited the crowd and sealed LAFC’s 2–1 victory — their eighth home playoff win in club history.
Tactical Breakdown: Experience and Depth Make the Difference
Cherundolo’s strategy centered around maintaining width and using Bouanga’s pace to stretch Austin’s backline.
Bouanga’s influence: The Golden Boot finalist didn’t score but was directly involved in both goals. His dribbling and shot creation were constant threats.
Midfield balance: Delgados calm distribution and Tillman’s box-to-box energy gave LAFC the edge in controlling tempo.
Substitutions: The introduction of Ordaz in the second half injected fresh energy and ultimately tipped the match in LAFC’s favor.
Defensively, LAFC’s structure held strong aside from Gallagher’s goal — with Hollingshead once again proving invaluable at both ends.
What’s Next: Game 2 in Austin
With the win, LAFC take a 1–0 series lead and can close things out Sunday, November 2 at Q2 Stadium in Austin.
A victory or draw will send LAFC to the Western Conference Semifinals for the fourth straight year. Austin, meanwhile, must win to force a decisive Game 3 back in Los Angeles.
Cherundolo emphasized post-match that his team “still has levels to reach,” but praised their resilience:
“The playoffs are about moments, and tonight we made ours count,” he said.
Final Thoughts: Champions Find a Way
It wasn’t a flawless performance, but it was the kind of mature, controlled playoff showing that defines contenders.
From Hollingshead’s early involvement to Ordaz’s decisive touch, LAFC demonstrated why experience and depth matter in knockout soccer.
Austin showed fight and flashes of danger — yet LAFC’s response was the mark of a team that’s been here before.
Now, with momentum on their side, all eyes turn to Texas, where LAFC can punch their ticket to the next round.