AUSTIN (KXAN) — In a game containing 27 fouls and eight yellow cards, visiting Los Angeles FC beat Austin FC 4-1 on Sunday at Q2 Stadium, advancing to the semifinals of the MLS playoffs.
With the win, Los Angeles took a best-of-three series into the first round at 2-0 after a 2-1 win on October 29 in Los Angeles.
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Actor Matthew McConaughey, front, applauds fans as he walks on the sideline before the second match in the first round of the MLS Western Conference playoffs between Los Angeles FC and Austin FC, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Steven Spielman) -
Celebrations take place before Los Angeles FC and Austin FC square off in Game 2 of the first round of the Western Conference Football Playoffs on Sunday, November 2, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Steven Spielman) -
Austin FC midfielder Owen Wolfe (33) competes for possession of Los Angeles FC defender Ryan Porteous (5) during the first half of Game 2 in the first round of the MLS Western Conference playoffs Sunday, November 2, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Steven Spielman) -
Austin FC midfielder Mirto Uzoni (10) reacts after missing a penalty kick against Los Angeles FC during the first half of Game 2 in the first round of the MLS Western Conference playoffs Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Steven Spielman) -
Austin FC defender Brendan Haynes Ike (4) celebrates after midfielder Daniel Pereira (8) scores a penalty kick against Los Angeles FC during the first half of Game 2 in the first round of the MLS Western Conference playoffs Sunday, November 2, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Steven Spielman) -
Los Angeles FC forward Jeremy Ebobisse (17) celebrates a goal against Austin FC with defenseman Sergi Palencia (14) and forward Son Heung-min (7) during the second half of Game 2 in the first round of the MLS Western Conference playoffs Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Steven Spielman) -
Los Angeles FC forward Jeremy Ebubisi (17 years old) scores a goal against Austin FC during the second half of game two in the first round of the MLS Western Conference playoffs on Sunday, November 2, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Steven Spielman) -
Los Angeles FC forward Jeremy Ebobis (17 years old) celebrates a goal against Austin FC during the second half of game two in the first round of the MLS Western Conference playoffs Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Steven Spielman) -
Los Angeles FC midfielder Andy Moran (19) and Austin FC defender Shan Kolmanich (23) compete for the ball during the second half of game 2 in the first round of the MLS Western Conference playoffs on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Steven Spielman) -
Los Angeles FC forward Son Heung-Min (7) looks to control the ball against Austin FC during the second half of Game 2 in the first round of the MLS Western Conference playoffs Sunday, November 2, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Steven Spielman) -
Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga (99) drives between Austin FC defender Julio Cacante (18), defender Brendan Heinz Ike (4) and defender Guilherme Pirro (29) during the second half of Game 2 in the first round of the MLS Western Conference playoffs Sunday, November 2, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Steven Spielman) -
Austin FC midfielder Daniel Pereira scores a penalty kick against Los Angeles FC during the first half of the second game in the first round of the MLS Western Conference playoffs on Sunday, November 2, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Steven Spielman) -
Q2 Stadium is shown before Game 2 in the first round of the MLS Western Conference Playoffs on Sunday, November 2, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Steven Spielman)
By the time Austin FC’s Danny Pereira converted a last-minute penalty kick in first-half stoppage time, Los Angeles went into the locker room up 3-1 and in complete control of the game.
Son Heung-min, the former Tottenham Hotspur captain who joined Los Angeles in August, opened the scoring in the 21st minute, beating Eli Sanchez with a poor pass, then firing a shot past Brad Stover from outside the 6-yard box.
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Dennis Bouanga scored twice in the first half to extend Los Angeles’ insurmountable advantage. His first goal came four minutes after Son’s opener and was his 100th goal in all competitions for the club. His second goal added salt to Austin’s wound to make it 3-0 in the 44th minute. This came after Los Angeles goalkeeper Hugo Lloris stopped Mirto Uzuni’s penalty kick attempt in the 39th minute.
LAFC’s Jeremy Ebobisse entered the game for Son in the 88th minute, and five minutes later he added another tally. He fired a left-footed shot past Stover’s sliding boot to put an exclamation point on the final game of the season in Austin.
LAFC outscored Austin 17-7, including 5-4 on goal, and Austin was whistled for offside three times.
This was the first time since 2022 that Austin participated in the MLS playoffs. They entered the postseason as the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference.
Along with a playoff appearance and a second-place finish in the U.S. Open Cup, Austin has taken a step in the right direction under first-year coach Nico Estevez.
LAFC will face the Vancouver Whitecaps in the conference semifinals.