Los Angeles FC aims to maintain their strong season and keep their clean sheet record intact when they face Austin FC on Saturday in a Western Conference match.
LAFC (4-0-0, 12 points) has outscored opponents 8-0, winning their first four matches of the season, marking their best start yet.
Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has prevented all 15 shots he has faced, going over 360 minutes without conceding a goal. He has achieved a dozen clean sheets in the last two seasons and is on track to exceed that this year.
The team’s depth will be tested as they travel to Austin after a 2-0 home win over St. Louis on March 14. Mathieu Choiniere scored twice in the second half, securing the victory in his first MLS start of the season.
“The coaches give us all the confidence we need to move forward,” Choiniere stated. “When you train hard and get that feeling, it becomes natural during games.”
LAFC followed up that win with a road victory, beating Costa Rican side L.D. Alajuelense 2-1 on Tuesday in a two-leg series of the Concacaf Champions Cup. David Martinez, 20, scored in stoppage time to send LAFC into the quarterfinals.
Austin FC (1-2-1, 4 points) returns home after losing two consecutive matches, including a 2-1 defeat against Real Salt Lake on March 14. Jon Bell scored the only goal for the Verde, while goalkeeper Brad Stuver made seven saves in a strong performance.
“We created enough chances in the first half but didn’t execute well in the second half,” said Austin coach Nico Estevez. “We need to be bolder and follow our game plan. We lacked patience in the second half and need to create more opportunities.”
Austin will be missing key players, including midfielder Owen Wolff and striker Brandon Vazquez, who are sidelined due to injuries for Saturday’s match.
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