Los Angeles Football Club qualifies for the MLS 2023 Playoff as they dominated Austin Football Club 4-2 at the Q2 Stadium. The Black and Gold will likely finish second place in the Western Conference, as Saint Louis are five points ahead.
Although they are in second, a defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps FC and if Seattle Sounders wins and Houston Dynamo beats Portland Timbers by four goals. LAFC could drop to fourth place; therefore, defending their cup title will be more difficult.
After two and a half weeks without scoring a goal, LAFC scored nine goals in two games following a 5-1 victory against Minnesota United FC at the BMO Stadium.
Going to the game, Timothy Tillman gave LAFC the lead, finishing off a feed from Denis Bouanga. Bouanga scored a penalty before halftime after Leo Väisänen tackled Cristian Olivera inside the box.
In the second half, the Black and Gold didn’t hesitate as Bouanga notched his 19th goal this season. Olivera finished the game in the 68th minute, scoring his second goal. Austin FC got two goals back, but LAFC had no problems in the end.
The Black and Gold returns to MLS action on Decision Day, Saturday, October 21, as it closes out the 2023 regular season against the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place after the international break.
LAFC players Stipe Biuk (Croatia U-21), Maxime Crepeau (Canada), Tony Leone (Mexico U-23), Denil Maldonado (Honduras), and Cristian Olivera (Uruguay) will join their respective national teams, while the others will remain in the club training.
