LAFC defender Diego Palacios, right, dribbles past Austin FC midfielder Owen Wolff during the first half of their MLS match on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder José Cifuentes kicks the ball as Austin FC midfielder Owen Wolff defends during the first half of their MLS match on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC defender Diego Palacios, right, dribbles against Austin FC midfielder Owen Wolff during the first half of their MLS match on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Carlos Vela, right, kicks the ball against during the first half of their MLS match against Austin FC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Carlos Vela, left, vies for the ball against Austin FC midfielder Jhojan Valencia during the first half of their MLS match on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Latif Blessing, left, vies for a header with Austin FC midfielder Owen Wolff during the first half of their MLS match on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Danny Musovski, right, collides with Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver during the first half of their MLS match on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Kwadwo Opoku, right, attempts a shot as Austin FC defender Ruben Gabrielsen defends during the first half of their MLS match on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder José Cifuentes chases the ball down during the first half of their MLS match against Austin FC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Carlos Vela brings the ball up the field during the first half of their MLS match against Austin FC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Kwadwo Opoku, left, tries to move the ball past Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver during the first half of their MLS match on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Cristian Arango, left, battles for the ball against Austin FC midfielder Alexander Ring during the second half of their MLS match on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. Austin FC won, 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Carlos Vela covers his face after missing a shot during the second half of their MLS match against Austin FC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder Ilie Sánchez kicks the ball against Austin FC midfielder Alexander Ring (8) during the second half of their MLS match on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. Austin FC won, 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder Kellyn Acosta controls the ball during the second half of their MLS match against Austin FC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Cristian Arango looks to pass during the second half of their MLS match against Austin FC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. Austin FC won, 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Carlos Vela dribbles the ball as Austin FC forward Jon Gallagher defends during the second half of their MLS match on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder Brian Rodríguez takes a shot on goal during the second half of their MLS match against Austin FC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Carlos Vela, center, is held by Austin FC forward Jon Gallagher during the second half of their MLS match on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. Austin won, 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder Francisco Ginella brings the ball up the field during the second half of their MLS match against Austin FC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Carlos Vela converts a penalty kick for a goal during the second half of their MLS match against Austin FC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
An LAFC fans raises his arms after LAFC forward Carlos Vela, not pictured, scores a goal during the second half of their MLS match against Austin FC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Carlos Vela, center, gestures to the crowd after scoring a goal during the second half of their MLS match against Austin FC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. Vela became the third-fastest player in MLS history to reach a combination of 100 goals and assists. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder Kellyn Acosta looks for a teammate to pass to during the second half of their MLS match against Austin FC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder Brian Rodríguez brings the ball up the field during the second half of their MLS match against Austin FC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. Austin FC won, 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Former Laker Metta Sandiford-Artest serves as the honorary falconer prior to the start of LAFC’s MLS match against Austin FC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
A young fan waves a scarf prior to the start of an MLS match between LAFC and Austin FC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. Austin FC won, 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
A soccer fan holds up an LAFC scarf prior to the start of their MLS match against Austin FC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LOS ANGELES — For the first time this season, the Los Angeles Football Club failed to earn points at home, dropping a 2-1 result to Austin FC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium.
Despite playing like the superior team off the opening whistle, LAFC’s eighth loss in 69 home matches since its debut season in 2018 began when it failed to clear a corner kick in the 13th minute.
A giveaway by Diego Palacios, LAFC’s most consistent performer on the defensive line so far this season, allowed Austin midfielder Jhojan Valencia space to dish the ball to defender Ruben Gabrielsen.
Inside the box, the Norwegian’s curling shot flew past LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau for his second goal of the year.
Converting its only shot on goal of the first half meant Austin’s go-ahead tally was the eighth time in league play this year that LAFC (7-3-2, 23 points) would need to come from behind to earn points.
For the second consecutive match – after a 2-0 loss in Colorado – the hosts were unable to do so.
LAFC created chances throughout the first half but could not match Austin (7-3-2, 23 points) before heading to the locker room.
The MLS leaders invaded the visitor’s side of the field and tested Austin’s ability to build out of the back. Controlling the tempo and space allowed LAFC opportunities to finish quality chances against Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver.
Playing for the first time since suffering a laceration on his right knee at the end of April, Stuver made three saves in the 17th minute alone. He stopped Danny Musovski, who made his first regular-season start, before denying Latif Blessing and Carlos Vela in quick succession.
Early on, Blessing, the lively 25-year-old Ghanian midfielder, surpassed Diego Rossi to become LAFC’s MLS regular-season minutes leader, ending his night with 8,900 minutes after being forced off the field with an injured right leg prior to halftime.
LAFC pushed for an equalizer but Austin gave itself some insurance in the 80th minute.
A ball over the top of the LAFC backline found midfielder Diego Fagundez. The MLS assist leader kept the ball at his feet and led a three-on-two attack toward the LAFC goal. Rather than trying to find a teammate, the veteran Uruguayan took what LAFC gave him and calmly buried the ball in the back of the net for a 2-0 advantage.
The visitor’s only two shots on goal held up, even after Vela converted a penalty kick in the 86th minute. The goal made Vela the third-fastest in MLS history to combine for 100 goals (62) and assists (38) in 98 regular-season matches – ending a nine-match scoreless streak in all competitions.
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Only Sebastian Giovinco (95 games) and Robbie Keane (96 games) reached the 100 mark faster than Vela.
In the 90th minute, referee Armando Villareal used a video assistant review to determine that Austin had not fouled Palacios in the box, which would have set up a potential game-tying penalty kick.
LAFC’s final flurry over five minutes of stoppage time did not deliver and for the first time under head coach Steve Cherundolo, the club lost on its home field.
The win is Austin’s first in four meetings with LAFC and moved the second-year franchise and left the teams tied atop the Western Conference standings.
LAFC had an 18-9 advantage in shots and 7-2 in shots on goal.
