Raphael Durand
Dailysports's expert
One of the regular season MLS clashes between Austin and Los Angeles will take place on July 6 at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. Here’s a bet on the total number of goals in this encounter with an appealing odds value.
Match preview
Austin remains firmly in the playoff race, and the team’s current form suggests real progress compared to last season. Nico Estévez’s squad has won two of their last three matches, including convincing victories over Colorado and New York Red Bulls. Their home performances deserve special mention: out of eight matches at Q2 Stadium, they’ve secured four wins and suffered just two defeats.
Brandon Vazquez is enjoying a strong season, already netting eight goals and serving as the main attacking weapon for the Greens. In midfield, Estévez continues to rely on the Sabovic-Gallagher partnership, as well as the young Owen Wolff, who hasn’t scored yet but is very active in orchestrating possession. Crucially, Austin rarely leaves the pitch at home without a goal—especially against teams with a vulnerable defense.
For Los Angeles, this is a return to MLS action after a disappointing campaign at the Club World Cup, where the team exited with just a single point from their group. In their first match back, LAFC fell 0-1 to Vancouver, and they haven’t tasted victory in the league since early May—a five-game winless streak. Steve Cherundolo’s side has yet to find its rhythm, and their away form (just six points from seven matches) is another cause for concern.
The departure of Olivier Giroud may impact the attacking mindset, but Denis Bouanga continues to shine: 13 goals and 6 assists make him the undisputed leader. Young Ordas will step in for the veteran Giroud—he’s already scored five times, but consistency is still an issue. Nevertheless, with Bouanga up front and Lloris back between the posts, LAFC remain a team capable of scoring in any match.
Probable lineups
- Austin: Stuver; Djeffal, Swatek, Hines-Ike, Guilherme; Obrian, Pereira, Sabovic, Gallagher; Wolff, Vazquez
- Los Angeles: Lloris; Palencia, Segura, Long, Smolyakov; Jesus, Amaya, Tillman; Driossun, Ordas, Bouanga
Match facts and head-to-head
- LAFC have not won in MLS since early May—a five-match winless streak.
- Austin have won 4 of 8 home matches and scored in nearly all of them.
- Both teams have scored in three of their last four head-to-head meetings.
Prediction
This promises to be a tightly contested match with attacking opportunities for both sides. Austin are consistent scorers at home, while Los Angeles, despite their slump, have Bouanga—capable of making the difference on his own. Neither defense looks unbreakable, so backing both teams to score at odds of 1.76 is a logical choice.
