João Klauss scored his 10th goal of the season and the LA Galaxy defeated Austin FC 4-1 at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday, keeping their playoff hopes alive in the Western Conference.
Klauss opened the scoring in the 10th minute after a pass from Harbor Miller, set up by Sergi Roberto's interception. Hirving Lozano, returning from injury, headed in a Marco Reus chip to make it 2-0 in the 38th minute. Robert Taylor scored against his former club to extend the lead to 3-0 early in the second half. After Ervin Torres pulled one back for Austin with a long-range strike in the 54th minute, Roberto chested down a Reus header and fired home his first MLS goal in the 66th minute. Reus finished with three assists. The Galaxy (11-11-11) moved within three points of sixth-place LAFC, while Austin (8-15-10) fell to 4-2-1 in their last seven away games. LA next visits Real Salt Lake, and Austin hosts Portland next Saturday.
