LAFC returns to the MLS field this Saturday against Austin FC, and the moment speaks for itself. Both clubs come into the match under pressure, in unstable form, and needing a response. On one side is a team that just came back from the FIFA Club World Cup but lost at home to the Vancouver Whitecaps and saw its unbeaten streak come to an end.
On the other, a team that has improved after a rough start but still hasn’t convinced anyone when playing away from Q2 Stadium. It’s not an exaggeration to say this game could shape the direction of July for both teams. Austin and LAFC have talent, they have key players, but they still haven’t delivered the consistency this season demands. And sooner or later, that catches up to you.
Austin looks to turn Q2 into a real weapon
Austin FC’s biggest strength this season has been playing at home. At Q2 Stadium, the team has four wins, four draws, and only two losses. These results have kept them alive in the playoff race, but they’re still not enough to erase the doubts. The club is currently in ninth place in the Western Conference and urgently needs to lock down a spot in the top eight. The loss to the Seattle Sounders in the last round was a warning sign. Even though they picked up six out of nine possible points in June, the team once again showed problems when playing away from home.
Against LAFC, the challenge will be maintaining their defensive solidity, which is currently the second-best in the West, while also finding offensive solutions to break down a team that, despite recent flaws, remains dangerous.
LAFC under pressure but still a threat
LAFC is still trying to figure out what went wrong since coming back from the Club World Cup. The 1–0 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps at home ended a nine-game unbeaten run in MLS and reopened questions about the team’s ability to perform in key moments. What stood out the most was the gap between offensive volume and actual results. They had 15 shots to Vancouver’s 5, but none were effective.
The club is in seventh place in the Western Conference with 26 points from 17 games. They have two fewer matches played than most of the teams in the conference, which could become an advantage later on, but only if they start winning now. Away from home, the picture is different. So far in 2025, LAFC has only won once on the road, against Sporting Kansas City. That needs to change, and fast.
The main bet continues to be Denis Bouanga. With 13 goals and 6 assists this season, the forward is the team’s most decisive player and has once again been selected for the MLS All-Star Game.