At the Whistle: Austin FC 1, LA Galaxy 0

In an early Saturday afternoon match under ominous skies, Brandon Vázquez finally rolled the rock all the way up the hill, capping off an utterly Sisyphean match with a late goal, leading Austin FC to a 1-0 victory over LA Galaxy.

Verde got pressure on early and often in the first half, with Myrto Uzuni very nearly scoring a legend-building goal in the 7th minute, pulling off a bicycle kick that went just over the bar, and exhibiting what's becoming trademark frustration for him.

Despite some shots that Verde were able to work themselves into taking, including what was very nearly a hustle goal in the 36th minute when a sliding Brandon Vázquez forced Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy into a bad pass that Uzuni pounced on for a shot that defender Eriq Zavaleta headed away, they also had some unfortunate giveaways in final third passes that led to Galaxy counters.

Gabriel Pec led the way on several of those, including a 28th-minute shot that worryingly clanged off the woodwork.

Vázquez's frustrating journey in front of goal continued in the 45th minute when he took an off-balance shot that sloooooowly rolllllled past McCarthy and just past the far post. By the barest of margins, and everything else that transpired during the half, the teams went to the locker room scoreless — not shocking for a team averaging less than a goal a match.

And then, in the first major chance of the second half, Dani Pereira got a would-be-assist to Vázquez (see "Best Verde moment that wasn't a goal" below) that the striker headed on the wrong side of the post, again keeping the match scoreless.

Four minutes after coming on, substitute/designated player Osman Bukari earned a clear PK, which Vázquez set up to take. After some Galaxy shenanigans behind Vázquez, the snakebitten striker put in a weak kick that McCarthy easily saved. Sigh.

Finally, Vázquez scored in the 81st minute, with substitute Žan Kolmanič sending in a deflected cross with enough zip to get to a grateful Vázquez, who got a toe on it from a spot where he couldn't miss.

The ending was a little marred by Brendan Hines-Ike getting two quick yellow cards in succession for "poor sportsmanship" in the second minute of eight minutes of stoppage time (a thing I'll ask PRO about), and then it got really ugly after the final whistle, with multiple fights breaking out.

But it still goes in the books as a win.

Best Verde moment (that wasn’t a goal)

Pereira did about everything you would want him to do on Vázquez's 55th-minute attempt: Held the ball at the top of the box, got himself into optimal position to pass, sent that cross in on a well-defended Vázquez that only the striker could get to.

Worst Verde moment (that wasn't a goal allowed)

You know what it is.

Something you might have missed

I hope you got to the stadium for the tifo just before the match (and up into the first minute of the actual match) ... lots of good artwork on display of all the players, but the Guilherme Biro one — featuring one of the most electric moments of This Rivalry's Rich Narrative — was where my eye went first (and, to be honest, lingered).

Also, the Dani Pereira rendering led us to reminisce in the press box about the "hang it in the Louvre" goal and the fan who actually hung it in the Louvre. (Or, you know, at least displayed it there.)

One nerdy tidbit

Vázquez ended the match with 2.1 xG. (And one goal.)

A question we have heading into the press conference

We still have concerns about the final third passing, so we're going to ask about that.

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