THE VERDE REWIND: LAFC
The Result: Austin FC 0-0 LAFC
Brenden Hines-Ike, Nico Dubersarsky, and Myrto Uzuni led a short-handed but passionate, energetic, and ultimately scoreless Austin FC (1-2-2) into a thrilling but scoreless battle with LAFC (4-1-0). An offside Ilie Sanchez precipitated a VAR review, chalking off Austin’s only goal against LAFC’s nearly impenetrable defense, a brilliant strike by Uzuni off an expertly delivered corner from Facundo Torres, and the match ended in a 0-0 draw. A rare result where both sides were left with a sense of relief that things didn’t go worse.
For LAFC and longtime Tottenham and French National Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, it was their fifth straight clean sheet in MLS play, but the first time they failed to get a victory after dispatching their previous four league opponents by a combined score of 8-0. For Stuver and the Verde and Black, it was the third straight regular-season clean sheet against the Black and Gold.
Austin FC defenders closing down H.M Son as he takes a shot. Photo courtesy of Dante Valencia.
How it happened
Both sides were close to breaking the deadlock in the final 12 minutes of the match. LAFC Midfielder Marco Delgado ripped a shot from outside the box in the 84th minute that clanged off the crossbar. A minute later, Austin substitute Midfielder Besard Sabovic passed the ball directly to LAFC’s Son Heung-min, who raced toward the Austin goal. Still, Austin Center-Back Brenden Hines-Ike caught up to Son and dispossessed the Korean superstar in the penalty area with a perfectly timed and executed tackle. In the 94th minute, Uzuni eluded multiple LAFC defenders and cut into the box with a ball to create a rising open shot, only to be met with a world-class save from Lloris, preserving an away draw for the visitors and denying Austin what would have been a hard-fought victory. Austin excelled at ball movement and kept the ball away from LAFC’s forwards for much of the match, completing 90% of their passes (613 total) to 363 (84%) for LAFC. Despite 22 total shots (10 for Austin, 12 for LAFC), each team only managed one on frame due to locked-in performances by both backlines. Stuver and Lloris took care of their business when called upon, as the fast-paced, often exciting match somehow ended without a goal.
The match also featured Austin Right Back Mikkel Desler’s return from injury as a 78th-minute substitute. Attacking Midfielder Jorge Alastuey was given a second short-term agreement to join the First Team from Austin FC II, but didn’t feature in the match. Austin FC did excellent work in defending LAFC assassin Denis Bouanga throughout the match, holding the Gabon International to only 2 shot attempts through 89 minutes. Stuver reacted quickly to stop his (and LAFC’s) only shot on target in the 92nd minute. A chance Bouanga created for himself from the wing when he deftly worked the ball into a dangerous area from the near touchline.
Austin FC forward Myrto Uzuni. Photo courtesy of Dante Valencia.
What’s next?
Austin remains on a three-match winless streak, but a good performance and result against LAFC at home could provide momentum as the Verde and Black travel to Miami for the Inaugural match at Inter Miami’s (3-1-1) new Miami Freedom Park on April 4th. In the meantime, Austin’s Uzuni will travel to Europe as an international call-up for Albania’s historic World Cup Qualifier Semifinal playoff against Poland.
Play of the Match: Hugo Lloris save on Myrto Uzuni in the 94th minute
Player of the Match: Brenden Hines-Ike (ATX)
Honorable Mentions: Nicolas Dubersarsky (ATX), Ryan Porteous (LAFC), Myrto Uzuni (ATX), Marco Delgado (LAFC)
WRITTEN BY JORDAN STEWART FOR WAATV
