Austin FC protects early lead, slips past LAFC 1-0

Guilherme Biro scored an early goal and Austin FC protected the advantage to earn a 1-0 victory over host Los Angeles FC on Saturday afternoon.

Brad Stuver made three saves for his second shutout of the season and 30th of his MLS career for Austin FC.

Biro's goal came in the 12th minute of Austin's fourth consecutive 1-0 match. Austin (2-2-0, 6 points) has split the four contests while struggling to get its offensive attack untracked.

Los Angeles FC (2-2-0, 6 points) lost its second straight MLS match after opening with two consecutive league wins.

Austin struck on a corner kick as Owen Wolff booted the ball toward the net. Biro then sent a header toward the goal that tipped off the hand of Hugo Lloris on its way to the net.

Lloris had two saves for LAFC.

LAFC had a 16-10 edge in shots and both teams placed three on target.

LAFC star Denis Bouanga took six shots -- three on target -- but couldn't find the back of the net.

LAFC had a stellar chance in the 26th minute but Cengiz Under sent a left-footed shot just wide of the left goalpost.

In the second half, Austin's Myrto Uzuni had two big chances during the 57th minute.

First, Uzuni took a right-footed shot that was saved by Lloris. His second chance was even better as it was just him and Lloris but he sent the close-range left-footed shot well over the goal.

LAFC had an opportunity in the 61st minute but Bouanga's hard right-footed shot was booted directly at Stuver, who made the save.

Bouanga also came up empty on right-footed shots in the 75th and 81st minutes.

LAFC had a chance in the first minute of second-half stoppage time but Austin's Brendan Hines-Ike deflected the shot of Ryan Hollingshead and Stuver easily caught the ball.

--Field Level Media