After two feel-good draws against two of the best teams in the league, Austin FC dropped a home match to a Galaxy team that hasn't won on the road in nearly 18 months. The loss leaves Verde winless in their last five.
Going into Saturday afternoon, LA Galaxy had not won on the road in 20 away matches of MLS regular season play, going back to October 2024. Galaxy coach Greg Vanney left his much-remarked ascot in Carson, but he went home with a streak-breaking win (his 150th regular season win as a coach) in a game where Austin lacked the pace and vigor of recent weeks. A glorious late-game goal from outside the box by Myrto Uzuni lifted spirits and gave Verde a late-minutes surge of energy, but it would not be enough.
After going hard on the road in a half-completed stadium in Miami, Austin finally ran out of their recent head of steam after showing unexpected form in back to back fixtures against LAFC and Inter Miami. Just a week ago, Austin made the reigning champions look tired and a mental step behind. Whether it was the fresh and thick humidity or playing on fumes with a depleted roster, that was Austin at home this weekend. Austin won the possession battle 60/40, but other key stats remained relatively even, including shots and shots of goal.
Verde fans well remember match official Tori Penso from last year's US Open Cup final. Even though yellow cards went more generously to Galaxy (and their coach!), key calls once again did not go Austin's way, including Lucas Sanabria clearly obstructing Brad Stuver in the scrum that led to Maya Yoshida's decisive opening goal. Despite that and other instances (including a bizarre no-call in the closing minutes when Mikkel Desler got manhandled), Austin was out of gas from the opening whistle.
An early goal sure would have changed the game.
Best Verde moment (that wasn’t a goal)
A promising series of attacks in the early minutes of the first half included a near-header goal from Christian Ramirez that would have provided important muggy weather momentum early on.
Worst Verde moment (that wasn't a goal allowed)
A 93rd minute corner kick led to a sequence where Dani Pereira gave the ball directly to Joao Klauss, giving Galaxy full control of the remaining minutes on the clock.
One thing you might have missed
After the halftime whistle blew, Brad Stuver had a walking conference with center ref Tori Penso, presumably about the Sanabria butt-obstruction that directly contributed to his not being able to save Galaxy's first half goal. The force and precision with which he hurled his water bottle leaving the field was roughly 100x that of any effort Galaxy put into the match.
One nerdy tidbit
Thommy's goal was the 6th goal against Verde to come in the final half hour this season, continuing a concerning trend.
Where this fits into the season's narrative
After showing themselves the equal two of the most formidable sides in MLS (for that matter, Concacaf), dropping all the points at home against this Galaxy team heading toward the World Cup break bodes for a brutal second half of 2026. This makes Austin winless in five matches.
A question we have heading into the press conference
Unlike LA Galaxy, Verde did not have to play at elevation against Toluca midweek. The unpredictable Ilie injury aside, what gave us the sluggish, behind-the-pace Austin that showed up this afternoon?
Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. For more coverage, check out Emergency Podcast! (an Austin FC Podcast) wherever you get your podcasts.
Eze Onuoha is a 17-year-old defensive midfielder from Finland who could be Austin FC's next signing. But will he first be a mainstay for Austin FC II? And given his reported transfer fee, is that smart roster building?
Austin FC's possession numbers and xG values haven't been sterling in 2026. But the changes made under Davy Arnaud are perceptible and bearing out in the numbers, per one analyst.
Austin FC announced that it will be playing the 2027 Coachella Valley Invitational — its fourth straight appearance at the tournament. Here's what we learned about that, and by extension, the sprint season.
Resiliency is the word of the day, as Austin FC rallied from a three-goal deficit to draw San Diego FC and stay in the playoff race. Despite an eight-match unbeaten streak, the postseason could hinge on beating MLS' best team.
Going into Saturday afternoon, LA Galaxy had not won on the road in 20 away matches of MLS regular season play, going back to October 2024. Galaxy coach Greg Vanney left his much-remarked ascot in Carson, but he went home with a streak-breaking win (his 150th regular season win as a coach) in a game where Austin lacked the pace and vigor of recent weeks. A glorious late-game goal from outside the box by Myrto Uzuni lifted spirits and gave Verde a late-minutes surge of energy, but it would not be enough.
After going hard on the road in a half-completed stadium in Miami, Austin finally ran out of their recent head of steam after showing unexpected form in back to back fixtures against LAFC and Inter Miami. Just a week ago, Austin made the reigning champions look tired and a mental step behind. Whether it was the fresh and thick humidity or playing on fumes with a depleted roster, that was Austin at home this weekend. Austin won the possession battle 60/40, but other key stats remained relatively even, including shots and shots of goal.
Verde fans well remember match official Tori Penso from last year's US Open Cup final. Even though yellow cards went more generously to Galaxy (and their coach!), key calls once again did not go Austin's way, including Lucas Sanabria clearly obstructing Brad Stuver in the scrum that led to Maya Yoshida's decisive opening goal. Despite that and other instances (including a bizarre no-call in the closing minutes when Mikkel Desler got manhandled), Austin was out of gas from the opening whistle.
An early goal sure would have changed the game.
Best Verde moment (that wasn’t a goal)
A promising series of attacks in the early minutes of the first half included a near-header goal from Christian Ramirez that would have provided important muggy weather momentum early on.
Worst Verde moment (that wasn't a goal allowed)
A 93rd minute corner kick led to a sequence where Dani Pereira gave the ball directly to Joao Klauss, giving Galaxy full control of the remaining minutes on the clock.
One thing you might have missed
After the halftime whistle blew, Brad Stuver had a walking conference with center ref Tori Penso, presumably about the Sanabria butt-obstruction that directly contributed to his not being able to save Galaxy's first half goal. The force and precision with which he hurled his water bottle leaving the field was roughly 100x that of any effort Galaxy put into the match.
One nerdy tidbit
Thommy's goal was the 6th goal against Verde to come in the final half hour this season, continuing a concerning trend.
Where this fits into the season's narrative
After showing themselves the equal two of the most formidable sides in MLS (for that matter, Concacaf), dropping all the points at home against this Galaxy team heading toward the World Cup break bodes for a brutal second half of 2026. This makes Austin winless in five matches.
A question we have heading into the press conference
Unlike LA Galaxy, Verde did not have to play at elevation against Toluca midweek. The unpredictable Ilie injury aside, what gave us the sluggish, behind-the-pace Austin that showed up this afternoon?
Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. For more coverage, check out Emergency Podcast! (an Austin FC Podcast) wherever you get your podcasts.
Read Next
Nothing Eze about it: What the Eze Onuoha transfer report says about building Austin FC (and Austin FC II)
Eze Onuoha is a 17-year-old defensive midfielder from Finland who could be Austin FC's next signing. But will he first be a mainstay for Austin FC II? And given his reported transfer fee, is that smart roster building?
How is possession changing for the new-look Austin FC?
Austin FC's possession numbers and xG values haven't been sterling in 2026. But the changes made under Davy Arnaud are perceptible and bearing out in the numbers, per one analyst.
Going back to Cali: Reading the tea leaves on the 2027 Coachella Valley Invitational invite
Austin FC announced that it will be playing the 2027 Coachella Valley Invitational — its fourth straight appearance at the tournament. Here's what we learned about that, and by extension, the sprint season.
'I couldn't be more proud of it': Taking in the 'emotional journey' of Austin FC's three-goal comeback
Resiliency is the word of the day, as Austin FC rallied from a three-goal deficit to draw San Diego FC and stay in the playoff race. Despite an eight-match unbeaten streak, the postseason could hinge on beating MLS' best team.