LA Galaxy claimed a valuable 2-1 away win over Austin FC on Saturday at Q2 Stadium, edging a competitive Major League Soccer fixture with a decisive late goal from Myrto Uzuni in the 85th minute.
The visitors took the lead in the 34th minute when Maya Yoshida rose to power home a header, giving LA Galaxy a first-half advantage despite Austin seeing more of the ball. Greg Vanney’s side were content to stay compact and pick their moments, and that approach paid off as they carried a 1-0 lead into the interval.
Austin FC responded with greater urgency after the break and eventually found their reward in the 78th minute through Erik Thommy, who brought the home side level and lifted the energy inside Q2 Stadium. It felt, for a moment, as though Austin had the momentum to push on for more.
But LA Galaxy showed their cutting edge when it mattered most. In the 85th minute, Uzuni struck on the volley to restore the visitors’ lead, silencing the home crowd and putting the result back in Galaxy’s control. Austin pressed into stoppage time, but the away side held firm to see out the win.
Although Austin finished with 60.7 percent possession and earned six corners to LA Galaxy’s five, the visitors were more efficient in the decisive moments. LA Galaxy put seven shots on target from 12 attempts, while Austin managed five on target from 13 shots.
The match also had its share of bite. LA Galaxy were booked three times, with yellow cards for Maruicio Cuevas in the 24th minute, Edwin Cerrillo in the 42nd, and Guilherme Biro in the 75th. Austin FC saw Besard Sabovic cautioned in the 52nd minute, while late frustration showed in bookings for JT Marcinkowski in the 89th minute and Thommy in stoppage time.
In the end, this was a fixture decided by sharp finishing and strong away-side resilience. Yoshida’s 34th-minute header set the tone, Thommy’s 78th-minute goal gave Austin hope, and Uzuni’s 85th-minute volley delivered the decisive blow as LA Galaxy returned home with all three points.
