The Banc of California was able to accommodate some fans following the health regulations. This did not hinder the famous 3252 from vibrating and honoring their departed drummer Mo with a tifo.
The fans bring a lot of energy to these games, some of the players missed the environment and others were just experiencing it for the first time.
"I have never played in front of the LAFC fans before, " Danny Musovski commented at the press conference. He mentioned that even though it was five thousand fans, it felt like eighteen thousand fans. The energy from the fans transferred into the game and made them work more, he continued.
Playing a new team also poses a lot of challenges, Austin FC were determined to give LAFC a run for the money. They made sure LAFC go goalless in the first half of the match despite LAFC loosing their captain Carlos Vela in the first 22 minutes of the game.
"My understanding was, he needed to come off..." Bob Bradley on the confusing sub of Vela at the 22nd minute into the game.
LAFC got their breakthrough in the 61st minute with a deflected shot from Corey Braid past the Austin FC's goalie Brad Stuver! Great moment for Corey Braid making his first goal on a debut in a season opener!
Austin FC were not to sit back and watch, they put a lot of pressure on the host and almost equalized but thanks to Pablo Sisniega's reaction to save the shot from Austin FC forward Jon Gallagher.
Jose Cifuentes aka Cifu sealed Austin FC's fate with a late tap into the net giving LAFC a 2-0 victory.
LAFC will be playing the Western Conference Champions Seattle Sounders on Saturday April 24th at the Banc Of California Stadium.
Photos by : LAFC
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