LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 29: Goalkeeper Brad Stuver #1 of Austin FC makes a save against Timothy Tillman #11 and Nkosi Tafari #91 of LAFC during the first half of 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs game at BMO Stadium on October 29, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
It’s now or never for Austin FC in the MLS playoffs.
Trailing 1-0 in their best-of-three Western Conference quarterfinals series, the Verde & Black host LAFC on Sunday in Game 2 with the season on the line.
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AUSTIN FC VS LAFC
When/where: 7:45 p.m. Sunday at Q2 Stadium
TV/Radio: FS1, Fox Deportes, Apple TV; 97.5, 104.3 (Spanish)
Win, and they force Game 3 on Saturday in Los Angeles. Lose, and it’s the start of the brief MLS offseason.
Austin FC put in a gritty showing, even if it was somewhat subpar offensively, in Game 1 on Wednesday during a 2-1 loss. It’ll need to be better in the attack and show the same defensive physicality to avoid cleaning out its lockers Monday.
Here’s what to know about the match as the Verde & Black host a playoff game for the first time since the 2022 Western Conference semifinals against a Nico Estévez-led FC Dallas team.
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Will Austin FC be at full strength vs LAFC?
Estévez, who like with Dallas in 2022 has Austin FC in the playoffs in his first year leading the club, noted Friday that designated player and right-side winger Osman Bukari suffered a minor ankle injury Wednesday.
That might explain some of his lack of impact in the match, but it’s a concern for Sunday. Estévez gave no indication that Bukari wouldn’t play, yet he’s listed as “questionable” on the club’s availability report.
OWEN WOLFF: At 20 years old, the midfielder is Austin FC’s key player
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If Bukari can’t suit up, it’s a major blow to Austin FC. The team’s bench was already a weakness, but with forward Diego Rubio still out with an injury, Estévez doesn’t have a lot of quality options to play significant minutes.
Robert Taylor would presumably start on the right side if Bukari can’t go, though putting Jon Gallagher there and having Zan Kolmanic start on the left side would also be an option. But the club’s best chance to extend the series includes Bukari being healthy and playing at least 60 minutes.
A controlled attack
Austin FC has to be the aggressor in the attack for obvious reasons, yet Estévez noted the club needs to be cautious in how it does so.
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“LAFC is the best team in the league in counterattack, so you have to be smart and in control tactically,” he said. “Having long possessions is a way to control their counterattack … but we have to be better about being more aggressive in certain moments than (Wednesday).”
The Verde & Black had plenty of possession in Game 1, especially in the first half, yet did little with it. The team had an expected goals stat of 0.00 through the first 40 minutes, according to the Apple TV broadcast. And though the attack was better in the second half, forward Myrto Uzuni said Austin FC needs to play more direct.
“We have to put more balls in the box to have chances,” said Uzuni, who never lacks in bluntness. “If we want to score, we have to play balls into the box.”
The Verde & Black kept LAFC forwards Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-min largely in check during Game 1, and that’s something Austin FC defender Brendan Hines-Ike said has to continue Sunday even while the team will be on the offensive.
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“We don’t have to win the game at the start,” said Hines-Ike, who has excelled in his two years with the club. “I don’t think we need to come out chaotic and unorganized and leave ourselves exposed just because we’re trailing in the series. We stick to the game plan and add a few tweaks here and there that give us some more offensive spark. … We have to be clever in certain moments when we can push it a little more.”
Austin FC predicted lineup
Midfield: Jon Gallagher, Dani Pereira, Ilie Sánchez, Owen Wolff, Osman Bukari
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Defense: Guilherme Biro, Brendan Hines-Ike, Oleksandr Svatok, Mikkel Desler
Austin FC vs LAFC prediction
Austin FC 1, LAFC 1 (4-3): Austin FC was the more physical team in Game 1. Expect that to continue, especially with the club playing at home. Look for the Verde & Black to win in a penalty shootout and force Game 3.
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