LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nathan Aldous scored an easy tap-in in the 79th minute. LAFC beat Austin 2-1 on Wednesday night to begin a best-of-three series.
LAFC will play Austin on Sunday for a chance to advance to the Western Conference semifinals.
LAFC took a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute with an own goal from Brendan Hynes-Ike. Ryan Hollingshead beat a defender in the box and put a cross in front of goal, but it was deflected away by Hynes Ike.
John Gallagher tied the game at one-all for Austin in the 63rd inning. A loose ball in front of the net fell to the feet of Milt Uzuni, who tipped the ball to Owen Wolff who fed a wide open Gallagher at the back post.
Son Heung-min got off to a winning start with a long run, penetrating into the area and drawing defenders to pass to Dennis Bouanga, whose shot hit Aldous at the back post.
Austin won two regular season games against LAFC this year by a 1-0 scoreline, with both goals coming from headers off corner kicks.
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