Reus runs the show as Galaxy rout Austin 4-1 in home finale
Three assists from Marco Reus on Fan Appreciation Day moved LA to seventh in the West — and set up a win-and-in Decision Day trip to Salt Lake.
The LA Galaxy needed a statement in their last home game of the regular season, and they got one: a 4-1 dismantling of Austin FC at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday that keeps their playoff push firmly in their own hands.
Four goals, three Reus assists
João Klauss opened in the 10th minute — his 10th goal of the season — before Hirving Lozano headed in a Marco Reus cross in the 38th for 2-0 at the break. Three minutes into the second half, Robert Taylor finished another Reus pass for his first goal against his former club. Ervin Torres pulled one back for Austin in the 54th with a curling strike from distance, but Sergi Roberto restored the three-goal cushion in the 66th, running onto Reus's headed pass for his first Galaxy goal. Austin's miserable night ended with Žan Kolmanič sent off in stoppage time.
Reus finished with a club season-high three assists and now has 12 goal contributions in his last nine appearances, per the Galaxy's match report.
Win and in
The result lifted LA to 44 points and seventh in the Western Conference as of Saturday night, one point clear of Colorado and Seattle with Sunday fixtures still to play. The equation for Decision Day is clean: according to SportsGrid, win at Real Salt Lake on November 7 and the Galaxy are in the postseason — against a host that must win the same match to stay alive.
"When we have to win and we're supposed to win, you need to win," head coach Greg Vanney said afterwards, warning that RSL will be "playing for their life at home."
Austin, meanwhile, remain on 34 points at 8-14-10 with one match left in a season that long ago lost its shape.