AUSTIN, Texas – Brandon Vázquez delivered a decisive goal in the 81st minute, helping Austin FC secure a 1-0 triumph over Los Angeles, extending the defending champions’ winless streak to nine weeks at the start of the season. The goal was Vázquez’s inaugural score in his debut season with Austin FC (5-3-1), coming off a deflected shot which ricocheted off LA defender Emil Garces.
Austin’s defensive lineup faced adversity when Brendan Hines-Ike received a second yellow card during the third minute of stoppage time, granting the Galaxy a one-player advantage for the remaining five minutes of extra play. Despite this, Los Angeles (0-6-3) couldn’t capitalize on their numerical superiority.
Goalkeeper Brad Stuver was instrumental in maintaining the clean sheet, his league-leading fifth this season, amassing four saves. His performance came on the heels of conceding four goals in a defeat at the hands of the Vancouver Whitecaps the previous week.
In response, the Galaxy’s goalkeeper John McCarthy matched Stuver’s efforts, accumulating four saves, with both keepers disrupting each other’s attempts during a goalless first half.
Despite leading the overall head-to-head series 5-3-1, the Galaxy’s record in Austin fell to 1-3-1. Greg Vanney marked a milestone as he engaged in his 400th match affiliated with the Galaxy, including 232 matches played as a defender.
Next, Austin FC is set to face the Houston Dynamo on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Galaxy will have a brief hiatus until May 4, when they clash with Sporting Kansas City.