HOW TO WATCH: MLSNEXTPro.com, OneFootball.com
LAFC2 continues its 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Playoff run on Sunday when the sixth-seeded Black & Gold visits No. 1 overall seed Austin FC II in the Western Conference Semifinals at Parmer Field in Austin.
The matchup was set through the league’s Pick-Your-Opponent format, with Austin selecting LAFC2 from the two lowest remaining seeds among Western Conference teams. Austin earned the No. 1 overall seed after finishing the regular season with a league-best 65 points and a 19W-3L-6D record, while LAFC2 entered the postseason as the No. 6 seed with 45 points from an 11-8-9 record.
Sunday’s match kicks off at 5:30 p.m. PT and can be watched online at OneFootball.com, with the winner advancing to the Western Conference Final.
A SOCAL STAR BEGINS TO SHINE
After a season of impressive exploits for the club, midfielder Jude Terry (above) earned a pair of end-of-season accolades, winning MLS NEXT Pro Goal of the Year and being named to Major League Soccer’s annual 22-Under-22 list, which highlights the best young players across MLS first teams.
Terry is the eighth homegrown player in LAFC history after originally joining the LAFC Academy as a 12-year-old in 2021. He made his first-team debut this year as a 17-year -old, registering his first goal on April 11 against the Portland Timbers and later adding another goal and an assist across 17 total first-team appearances this season. The Chula Vista native scored the opening goal in last weekend’s quarterfinal draw against Houston, from which LAFC2 advanced following a penalty shootout.
THE NEXT GENERATION OF BLACK & GOLD
LAFC2 is a key part of LAFC’s player-development pathway, bringing together LAFC Academy products, college standouts, and other elite prospects pushing for opportunities with the first team. In 2026, LAFC2 captain Tommy Mihalić (below) earned a first-team contract in August, while DeCarlo Guerra, Sebastian Nava, Marius Aiyenero, Charlie Kosakoff, and goalkeeper Mark Gamez have also earned first-team opportunities on short-term loans this year.
On the field, LAFC2 finished the regular season sixth in the Western Conference with 45 points, scoring 50 goals across 28 matches. The Black & Gold were difficult to beat at home, closing out the regular season on a 13-match home unbeaten streak and finishing with a 9W-1L-4D home record. This postseason run has shown the club can also grind out results on the road. After going 2W-7L-5D away from home during the regular season, LAFC2 traveled to fourth-seeded Houston and advanced after a 2-2 draw over 120 minutes, and a victory in the ensuing penalty shootout.
SURVIVE AND ADVANCE
In Houston, Terry gave the Black & Gold an early lead before Marius Aiyenero doubled the advantage in the second half. Houston rallied to force extra time and eventually a penalty shootout, where Ethan Scally made two saves to help LAFC2 advance, 4-3.
The Black & Gold finished with a 25-19 advantage in shots and remained composed through 120 minutes against a higher seed playing in its own building.
Sunday’s semifinal will be LAFC2’s second trip to Parmer Field this season. Austin earned a 2-0 victory on June 7, with both goals coming in a two-minute span after a scoreless opening hour.
Ervin Torres broke the deadlock with a free kick in the 63rd minute before Ibrahima Sall doubled Austin’s lead in the 65th. The match was otherwise closely contested, with Austin holding a narrow 12-11 advantage in shots.
LAFC2 created several chances before and after the goals, including first-half opportunities for Mihalić and Guerra.
SCOUTING AUSTIN
Austin FC II enters the Conference Semifinal after submitting the strongest and most consistent performance in the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro regular season. The Verde & Black led the league with 19 wins and 65 points, conceded a league-low 21 goals, and posted a league-best plus-33 goal differential. Austin also recorded 10 home victories, tied for the most in MLS NEXT Pro.
Austin advanced to the semifinals with a 2-1 comeback victory over San Jose Earthquakes II in the quarterfinals. After falling behind in the 24th minute, Sall equalized in the 58th before Patrick Gryczewski scored the matchwinner in the 88th.
The result continued a record-setting season for Austin, which also set a new MLS NEXT Pro record for consecutive victories and secured the earliest playoff berth in league history. The club is back in the postseason for the first time since winning the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Cup. They claimed that trophy largely by winning on the road in the playoffs, a path LAFC2 now seeks to emulate.
LAFC2 WILL WIN IF
The Black & Gold carries the same composure and attacking intent that helped them eliminate Houston. Austin allowed fewer goals than any team in the league during the regular season, so LAFC2 will need to finish its chances and avoid allowing the hosts to control long stretches of the match.
LAFC2 also showed in the June meeting that it can create chances at Parmer Field. Turning those opportunities into goals, while remaining disciplined against an Austin side that has been especially strong at home, will be key to extending the playoff run.
AUSTIN CAN WIN IF
The Verde & Black impose the defensive structure that carried it to the league’s best regular-season record. Austin has been difficult to break down all season and showed during the comeback win over San Jose that they can respond when trailing.
Sall will again be one of the players LAFC2 must account for after he scored against the Black & Gold in June and found the net in Austin’s quarterfinal victory.
