THE VERDE REWIND: LA GALAXY
An anticipated homecoming for Austin FC ended in disappointment as the Verde and Black stumbled through a 1-2 defeat by the LA Galaxy. Erik Thommy scored the match-winner in the 78th minute, accompanying Maya Yoshida's controversial first-half goal, which had given the Galaxy a lead they would not relinquish on Matchday 7 of the 2026 Major League Soccer Season.
Austin FC players taking a team photo. Photo courtesy of Chris Rodriguez (RDZ Flickz)
How it happened:
Austin Forward Myrto Uzuni saw a well-deserved end to a five-match goal drought with a world-class hit from outside the box to halve Austin's deficit in the 85th minute, but it was not enough. The best chance at a following equalizer resulted from creative play by Austin Forward CJ Fodrey, who found space to fellow substitute Mikkel Desler, whose header was stopped on the line by Galaxy Goalkeeper James Marcinkowsky, whose clutch save punctuated Austin's loss.
Austin Fullback Guilherme Biro was a hero the previous Sunday in Miami. Scoring the first goal at Nu Stadium before Lionel Messi was able to put Miami on the board. However, on Saturday, the Austin fullback found himself with two opportunities to even the match at the far post, but mishandled a brilliant cross from Uzuni and saw another opportunity in the same spot roll off his boot and out of bounds for a goal kick. Biro did, however, get the assist on Uzuni's goal.
Ilie Sanchez battling Marco Reus. Photo courtesy of Chris Rodriguez (RDZ Flickz)
The debate over the first Galaxy goal centered on Yoshida's action before heading Germany International Marco Reus' 34th corner kick into the goal. The veteran Japan International jumped in front of Stuver to make the play and appeared to make significant contact with the Austin keeper as Stuver fell to the ground. Stuver himself alluded to this in comments following the match. However, the goal would count, and the Galaxy were on their way to their first away win since 2024. The Galaxy's second goal came on a rapid counterattack where Emiro Garces found Erik Thommy running down the near touchline with an excellent outlet pass, and Austin's Oleksandr Svatok failed to close down the Galaxy winger, whose far-post shot sailed beyond the reach of Stuver and into the Austin net.
Analysis and What's Next:
Statistically, this was a fairly defensive contest. Austin FC completed 90% of its passes (512 to be exact), but a lack of precision in the final third meant none of them would result in a big chance on target. Marcinkowsky made 4 saves for the Galaxy, and Brad Stuver registered 5 for Austin. The Galaxy generated two big chances and managed to convert both. Despite not scoring a goal on a cross this season, Austin attempted 25 crosses with an accuracy rate of only 32%. The Galaxy were effective in blunting Austin's attack, frustrating the Verde and Black with 36 clearances during the match.
Austin FC now sits in 13th in the Western Conference with a 1-3-3 record and only 8 goals in 7 matches. Reversing the difficult start will be challenging for Austin, with away matches at Toronto (April 18) and San Jose (April 22) followed by a home match versus Houston Dynamo (April 25) in an 8-day span that will have the team flying more than 5,000 total miles before returning to Austin. Before all of that, the team travels to Kentucky on Tuesday for their first US Open Cup elimination match of this year's tournament against Louisville City of the United Soccer League.
Austin FC forward Myrto Uzuni. Photo courtesy of Chris Rodriguez (RDZ Flickz)
Despite the positive result in Miami, another lackluster performance at home will likely increase critical attention to Austin's offensive production, which has plateaued around 1 goal per match under Manager Nico Estevez, mirroring the final year form of Estevez's previous managerial tenure with FC Dallas. Austin has scored 4 goals in 4 home matches with a record of 1-2-1 at Q2 Stadium in 2026. Uzuni's goal was the 2nd time this season Austin FC has scored a goal off a player's boot. Toronto is currently 6th in the East with a 3-2-2 record, and San Jose's blistering start has the Earthquakes sitting 2nd in the West with a 6-0-1 record. Some good news for Austin, young star Owen Wolff is set to return sometime in the next 2 weeks, and Designated Player Striker and USMNT International Brandon Vazquez's recovery from an ACL injury appears almost complete, and he awaits final clearance later this month to return to the pitch for an Austin FC side that desperately needs more offensive production.
WRITTEN BY: JORDAN STEWART
