LAFC vs Austin FC
Western Conference Final
Sunday, October 30
12:00pm PT
Location: Banc of California Stadium - Los Angeles, California
TV: ABC, ESPN3
Radio: 1110 AM ESPN, ESPN LA App, SiriusXM FC 157, 980 AM La Mera Mera
After eliminating the Galaxy in dramatic fashion 3-2 on Oct. 20, LAFC now moves on to the Western Conference Final against Austin FC on Sunday, Oct. 30 at Banc of California Stadium in a showdown at high-noon.
A goal in stoppage time by forward Cristian Arango helped the Black & Gold move on in the 2022 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs and set up the third matchup this year between LAFC and Austin FC, and the fifth overall against the newcomers to MLS who are in just their second season in the league.
LAFC won all three matches against Austin FC in 2021 when they were a first-year expansion club, but the Verde won the first two matches in 2022, including handing the Black & Gold their first home loss of the season. LAFC midfielder Ilie Sanchez did not play due to red card suspension in LAFC's 4-1 loss to Austin on Aug. 26.
Austin FC finished as the second seed in the Western Conference with 56 points, and advanced by defeating FC Dallas 2-1 in the Western Conference Semifinals.
LEARN MORE:
- The Kids of Immigrants x LAFC collection drops exclusively at LAFC HQ on Sunday, October 30. Doors open at 9:30am.
AUSTIN FC IN-DEPTH
Led by head coach Josh Wolff, Austin FC has had a successful 2022 season thus far after failing to make the playoffs in their inaugural year in 2021.
The team is led by Designated Player and MVP candidate Sebastián Driussi (22 goals), who finished second in the Golden Boot race.
Striker Maxi Urruti (9 goals) and midfielder Diego Fagúndez (6 goals) have combined for 32 goals and assists this year.
Fagúndez has played a big role in matches vs LAFC, as he has scored (3 goals) and assisted (2 assists) on five of the seven goals scored against the Black and Gold this year.
LAFC WILL WIN IF
They do not play into Austin’s high pressing game. The LAFC defense will have their work cut out for them, as Austin has scored 57 of their 65 goals this season inside the 18-yard box. LAFC should look to expose the Austin high-pressing offense and play the counterattack any chance it is given to them.
The Black & Gold will once again need to feed off the raucous home crowd in a highly anticipated matchup at the Banc. The Club will need Cristian Arango, who has scored 31 goals since arriving at LAFC, to continue his on-field dominance to help LAFC punch their ticket into the MLS Cup Final.
WATCH:
- Vela: 'This Is A Special Game; You Have To Win, Doesn't Matter How'
- Chiellini: 'We Are Wanting To Go All The Way'
- Cherundolo: 'It's Been A Focused, Heavily-Tactical Week'
- Ilie: 'They Know How They Want To Play & Try To Execute No Matter If They Play In Austin Or On The Road'
- Hollingshead: 'We Feel Like We've Grown A Ton & Been Able To Come Into A Good Stride As A Team'
AUSTIN FC CAN WIN IF
Driussi, Fagúndez, Urruti get their way on the field. The trio has combined for 37 of the team’s 65 goals this season. Austin will build from the back and attack aggressively, bringing the entire team into their opponents’ half. Austin will most likely come out in a 4-2-3-1 formation but switch to a 4-4-2 mid-block when on defense to limit any scoring opportunities from LAFC.
Inspired by Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare, a standalone expansion pack to the 2010 video game Red Dead Redemption.
