LAFC Seeks to Extend Perfect Start at Austin FC

Undefeated LAFC travels to Texas to take on Austin FC in MLS action.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 12:33am

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Unbeaten in their first nine games, the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) is looking to continue their perfect start to the 2026 MLS season when they take on Austin FC on Saturday evening. LAFC, led by new head coach Marc Dos Santos, has yet to allow a goal in MLS play and is coming off a 2-1 aggregate victory over LD Alajuelense in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The Black & Gold will be without a few key players due to injury, but their attacking depth has allowed them to spread the scoring around, with nine different players finding the back of the net so far this season.

Why it matters

LAFC's hot start has them atop the MLS standings and in a strong position to make a deep run in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. A win over Austin FC would extend their perfect record and keep them on track to potentially set an MLS record for consecutive shutout wins to start a season. The match also serves as LAFC's final game before the upcoming FIFA international break.

The details

LAFC has been dominant through the first month of the season, winning all four of their MLS matches and advancing in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The team's attacking depth has been on full display, with nine different players scoring goals. Leading the way is forward Denis Bouanga with five goals, while midfielder Mathieu Choiniere and forward Nathan Ordaz have also made significant contributions. LAFC will be without a few key players due to injury, including forward Jeremy Ebobisse and midfielder Stephen Eustáquio, but head coach Marc Dos Santos is confident the team's depth can carry them through.

  • LAFC has won a club-best eight consecutive games to open the 2026 season.
  • LAFC defeated LD Alajuelense 2-1 on aggregate in the CONCACAF Champions Cup on Tuesday, March 21.
  • The CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals will resume on April 7 when LAFC hosts Mexican club Cruz Azul.

The players

Marc Dos Santos

The new head coach of LAFC, taking over for Steve Cherundolo.

Nathan Ordaz

LAFC forward who scored the equalizer in Tuesday's CONCACAF Champions Cup match.

Denis Bouanga

LAFC forward who leads the team with five goals so far this season.

Jeremy Ebobisse

LAFC forward who has been out due to injury but is expected to return after the upcoming FIFA international break.

Stephen Eustáquio

LAFC midfielder who has missed the last three games with a leg injury but is also expected back soon.

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What they’re saying

“We're moving them around, we're taking control of games. That's what we set out to do. That's what we were working on all preseason.”

— Nathan Ordaz, LAFC forward

“My focus – me and the staff – was to build a team with a big 'T,' And when you're a team, you're going to have seasons inside the season, where a player is going to be the protagonist, two players maybe, but what we want the majority of the time is the team above all and a lot of different players participating. We don't know who is going to score. We don't know where the goals are going to come from, and I think that's pretty positive.”

— Marc Dos Santos, LAFC head coach

What’s next

LAFC will host Orlando City SC on April 4 when MLS play resumes after the upcoming FIFA international break. The team will then turn its attention to the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals, hosting Mexican club Cruz Azul on April 7 before the second leg in Puebla on April 14.

The takeaway

LAFC's impressive start to the 2026 season, including their perfect record and stifling defense, has them positioned as one of the top teams in MLS. Their depth and balanced scoring attack have been key factors in their success so far, and they will look to continue their strong run of form as they compete on multiple fronts over the coming weeks.