LOS ANGELES โค- LAFC advanced to the Westernโ Conference Semifinals of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs,defeating austin FC 4-1 in Game 2 of their best-of-threeโ Round One โseries โon โSunday.the victory secured LAFC’sโข place in the Conference Semifinals for the fourth โฃstraight season – a feat unmatched by any other MLS team.
LAFC’s dominant performance eliminates Austin FC and sets up a winner-take-all โฃclash against the Vancouver Whitecaps, scheduled for either โขSaturday, November โ22, or Sunday, November 23.โ The Western โConference Final will then be played โคon November 29 or 30. Thisโ marks a notable stepโฃ in โLAFC’s pursuit of a second MLS Cup โtitle in as many years.
The match saw LAFC take โan early lead in the 20th minute when Denis Bouanga won possession and assisted Juan Palacios “Son” for a 1-0โฃ advantage.Bouanga extended the lead just four minutes later, scoring off a โฃserve from Sergi Palencia, reaching his 100th goal for LAFC in all competitions.
Austin โFC was presented with an opportunity to narrow the gap in the 37th minute when a handball โฃby โBouanga resulted in aโ penalty kick, but hugo Lloris saved Myrto Uzuni’s attempt. Before halftime, Bouanga scored again in the 44th minute, capitalizing on a free kick delivery from Ryan Porteous and a header from Ryan Hollingshead to make it โฃ3-0.
Austin pulled one back before the break with a penalty converted by Sebastiรกn Ferreira followingโ a foul on โคPorteous, bringing the score to 3-1 at halftime.
The โsecond half saw Austin attempt to mount aโข comeback, with Jรกder Obrian’sโข 69th-minute shot denied โขby Lloris. LAFC ultimately sealed the victory in stoppage โtime with a goal from Corey Ebobisse, assisted by mark Delgado after a 50-yard run. Lloris finished the night with three saves.
