LAFC edges Austin in opener of first-round playoff series

LAFC struck first and earned a victory on Wednesday, beating Austin FC 2-1 in Game 1 of their series during the first round of the MLS playoffs.

- By JAD EL REDA

LAFC finished the regular season in third place in the Western Conference, hosting sixth-seeded Austin FC at BMO Stadium for the first game of the best-of-three series that will determine who advances to the Western Conference semifinals.

Twenty minutes into the game, Ryan Hollingshead broke down the left wing and sent in a low cross. Brendan Hines-Ike tried to clear the ball, but it ended up in his own net for a 1-0 lead.

In the second half, Austin FC equalized after Nkosi Tafari misplaced a clearance inside the box, causing confusion in the L.A. defense. With a couple of passes, Jon Gallagher ended up connecting with the shot to make it 1 in the 63rd minute.

Nathan Ordaz, who had only been on the field for only a short time, scored the 2-1 goal in the 79th minute. Son Heung-min sent a short pass to Denis Bouanga, who fired a powerful shot that was deflected but still headed toward the goal.

Ordaz sought to secure the score and only had to push the ball in.