LAFC tops Austin 2-1 to take 1-0 lead in MLS Cup Playoffs

Los Angeles Football Club opened its MLS Cup Playoffs series with Austin FC by defeating the visitors 2-1 on Wednesday night at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three first-round matchup. Nathan Ordaz scored the decisive goal in the 79th minute after a late attacking sequence, and LAFC will travel to Q2 Stadium in Austin on Sunday for Game 2 with the chance to clinch the series.

LAFC took an early lead in the 20th minute when Austin defender Brendan Hines-Ike inadvertently turned a low cross from Ryan Hollingshead into his own net. The teams traded physical possessions through a scrappy first half that featured a combined 17 fouls and few clear chances. Austin equalized in the 63rd minute when Jon Gallagher finished from close range after a scramble in the LAFC penalty area; accounts differ on which player provided the initial pass into the sequence.

The match-winner came on a move that began with Son Heung-min driving through the center of the field and finding Denis Bouanga, whose shot took a deflection and sailed over goalkeeper Brad Stuver. Ordaz got a final touch to redirect the ball into the open net for the 79th-minute winner. Son finished with...