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Dignity Health Sports Park had some visitors from Austin, Texas (Austin FC) Saturday night. After Austin FC came off a tie against Vancouver Whitecaps, the group started out persistent and troubling for the home team. However, both teams started out with some threatening chances at goal within the first 10 minutes of the game. Shaking up the defense on both ends. LA Galaxy's, Brugman, Boyd, and Joveljic all were testing Austin's goalkeeper, Stuver. But everything was just short of goal the entire first half. Galaxy had almost 10 corner kicks that were not executed and cleared out by Austin's defense. Finishing up the first half at 0-0.
Less than 10 minutes into the second half, Galaxy forward, Joveljic managed to heel a ball through two of Austin FCs defenders, and the ball ended up to the the player who was there at the right place and right time, Chicharito Hernandez. Taking advantage of that opportunity, he smashed the ball into the back the net. Giving Galaxy the 1-0 lead. 10 minutes later, in the 63rd minute, Austin FC had a corner kick that was cleared out by Galaxy's defense and counter attacked by their offense. Galaxy Midfielder, Delgado was a part of that counter attack play and managed to get the assist by passing the ball across to Puig who had time to control and have a right footed finish to give LA Galaxy the lead of 2-0. As the game was coming to an end, there were fouls on both ends but mostly from Austin FC, who looked frustrated and less composed on their opportunities in the attacking third.
Overall, Austin FC lacked transition from offense to defense and vice verse. Galaxy clearly fixed what they did not do in the first half, changed the formation from a 4-4-2 to a 4-1 -4 -1, took advantage of their opportunities and clearly looked like the stronger team this match. With their connections, build up from the back and confident counter attacks, they managed to beat Austin FC. Getting that W at home for their fans at Dignity Health Sports Park.
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