After a Wednesday night win over D.C. United, Austin FC has a quick turnaround before another vital 90 minutes in its push for the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs. The Verde & Black are set to host Los Angeles FC in their final regular season home match at Q2 Stadium on Saturday night, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. CT.
Tune-In
Fans can watch the match in English or Spanish for free in over 100 countries with MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
- Stream: Click here to watch the match, or access it through any device compatible with the Apple TV app.
- Radio: The match will be broadcast live locally in English on iHeart Radio’s Alt 97.5, and in Spanish on Univision’s TUDN Radio Austin (104.3-HD2, KLQB-FM).
Austin FC Outlook
Austin’s 3-0 victory against D.C. United lifted the Verde & Black to within three points of the playoff line, and while a draw this Saturday could keep ATXFC alive mathematically based on results elsewhere, the team likely needs to defeat LAFC to be able to qualify for the postseason on MLS Decision Day (October 21).
Head Coach Josh Wolff’s side got strong performances all over the pitch on Wednesday night. Club captain Sebastián Driussi chipped in with a goal and an assist, and now has five goal contributions in his last six league games. Brad Stuver made eight saves to keep D.C. at bay, while Will Bruin and Matt Hedges each netted their first goals at Q2 Stadium. Alex Ring recorded multiple assists for the second consecutive home match, the first player in Club history to do so.
The Verde & Black will look to recapture the magic of their 4-1 win over LAFC in Austin last season, at which point the two teams were both at the top of the MLS Western Conference.
LAFC Outlook
LAFC is assured of a place in the postseason but still fighting hard to secure home field advantage in the opening rounds, as evidenced by a 5-1 demolition of Minnesota on Wednesday. Striker Dénis Bouanga bagged a first half hat trick and was named MLS Player of the Matchday as a result. The Gabonese international now leads the Golden Boot race with 17 on the season.
The goalfest against the Loons broke a run of four consecutive games without a win (or a goal) for LAFC, a slump that may have been brought on by the sheer number of fixtures the defending MLS Cup champions have had to contend with this season. There’s no rest for the weary though, and they’ll need a result in Austin if they hope to leapfrog Seattle into second place.
While LAFC averaged nearly two points per match at home this season, they’ve only won three MLS road games this season, scoring less than a goal per game away from BMO Stadium.
