Hirving Lozano scores as Galaxy rout Austin, boost playoff hopes

Hirving Lozano scored in his return from injury Saturday, helping the LA Galaxy rout visiting Austin FC 4-1 and move into a playoff position in the Western Conference with one match remaining.

Joao Klauss, Robert Taylor and Sergi Roberto also scored for LA (11-11-11, 44 points), which jumped from 10th to seventh. It's a point clear of Colorado, pending the result of its Saturday night match with Chicago, and Seattle, which plays Sunday at West leader Vancouver.

The Galaxy have lost just once in their last eight fixtures, finding their best form offensively. They've scored 19 goals in that span and simply controlled Austin (8-15-10, 34 points) from start to finish. LA earned an 18-12 edge in shots and a 10-2 advantage in shots on target.

Klauss wasted little time getting the Galaxy out of the gate. In the 10th minute, he collected a pass from Harbor Miller and fired a right-footed shot that deflected off goalkeeper Damian Las for his 10th goal of the season.

Lozano, returning from a hamstring injury, doubled LA's lead in the 38th minute with a pretty header off Marco Reus' cross.

Reus also set up both of the Galaxy's second-half goals. He teed up Taylor in the 48th minute, with the help of lax Austin defense, giving Taylor enough time to whirl and drive a righty shot just under the crossbar.

Ervin Torres pulled a goal back for Austin in the 54th minute with a long shot from outside the 18-yard box that curled between goalie JT Marcinkowski and the right post. But any thoughts of a stunning comeback ended 12 minutes later when Roberto got his first goal for LA via Reus' third primary assist of the day.

Las collected six saves for Austin.

--Field Level Media