LAFC vs. Austin FC - Leagues Cup 2024 - Round of 32
Wednesday, Aug. 7 at 7:30pm PT
Location: BMO Stadium - Los Angeles, CA 🏟
Radio: ESPN LA App📱, 710 AM ESPN, KFWB 980 AM La Mera Mera📻
Having advanced past the Group Stage in Leagues Cup 2024 with a 2-2 draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps last week, LAFC hosts Austin FC on Wednesday, August 7, in a Round-of-32 match at BMO Stadium. The winner will advance to the Round of 16 in Leagues Cup—the annual World-Cup-style tournament that began on July 26 with all 47 teams in Liga MX and MLS.
LAFC is 6W-2L-1D all-time against its Western Conference rival from Austin. In their most recent encounter on June 19, LAFC salvaged a 1-1 draw at rain-soaked Q2 Stadium with a late Kei Kamara equalizer.
Austin In Depth:
Austin FC is eager to carry its Group Stage success into the knockout rounds of Leagues Cup 2024. The Verde finished first in the West 1 group, securing impressive wins over powerful Mexican clubs Pumas UNAM and C.F. Monterrey.
Led by head coach Josh Wolff, the Verde is hopeful that a strong Leagues Cup showing can spark a turnaround for its MLS regular season. Austin currently sits in 10th place in the Western Conference, with 31 points from 25 matches.
The team’s attack is led by Designated Player Sebastián Driussi, who has scored five goals and added two assists in MLS play. Jáder Obrian, with five goals and four assists, has also been impactful (Obrian scored the Verde’s lone goal against LAFC on June 19). Both players have scored one goal apiece in Leagues Cup 2024.
The Black & Gold Can Win If:
It can play the match on its terms, get on the scoreboard first, and force Austin to chase the game. LAFC has used that recipe to earn an impressive 3W-0L-1D record at BMO Stadium in Leagues Cup play over the last two years, having outscored opponents 14-1 in those three wins.
The LAFC defense will face a tough challenge against a diverse Verde attack that has netted five goals from five different scorers in its two Leagues Cup 2024 matches.
The Verde Can Win If:
It carries its current momentum into BMO Stadium and tunes out the hostile fan base that will be on hand in LA. The Verde has struggled against the Black & Gold, with a record of 0W-3L-1D in their last four meetings dating back to 2022. Austin’s Leagues Cup wins over Pumas and Monterrey, however, have filled Wolff’s players with a belief that their run can continue into the Round of 16.
