Musovski, Arango lead surging LAFC to victory over Austin FC

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LAFC goalkeeper Tomas Romero leaps to make a save during the first half of their 2-1 victory over Austin FC on Wednesday night in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)

  • LAFC defender Moon-Hwan Kim, right, reacts to losing the ball near the goal while defended by Austin FC defender Jhohan Romaña, left, during the second half of Wednesday night’s match in Austin, Texas. LAFC won, 2-1. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)

  • Austin FC midfielder Cecilio Dominguez, right, drives the ball upfield against LAFC midfielder Daniel Crisostomo, left, during the first half of Wednesday night’s match in Austin, Texas. LAFC won, 2-1. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)

  • LAFC midfielder Jose Cifuentes (11) attempts a shot on goal against Austin FC defender Jhohan Romaña (3) and goalkeeper Brad Stuver during the first half of Wednesday night’s match in Austin, Texas. LAFC won, 2-1. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)

  • Austin FC forward Sebastian Driussi, front, takes a shot on goal while defended by LAFC midfielder Daniel Crisostomo, back, during the first half of Wednesday night’s match in Austin, Texas. LAFC won, 2-1. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)

  • LAFC goalkeeper Tomas Romero leaps to make a save during the first half of their 2-1 victory over Austin FC on Wednesday night in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)

  • Austin FC defender Jhohan Romaña, right, heads the ball next to LAFC forward Christian Arango during the second half of Wednesday night’s match in Austin, Texas. LAFC won, 2-1. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)

  • LAFC goalkeeper Tomas Romero, right, goes for the ball against Austin FC forward Moussa Djitté, left, during the second half of Wednesday night’s match in Austin, Texas. LAFC won, 2-1. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)

  • LAFC midfielder Brian Rodriguez, left, reacts in pain after a collision with Austin FC Daniel Pereira, right, during the second half of Wednesday night’s match in Austin, Texas. LAFC won, 2-1. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)

  • A referee holds back Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver, right, who was upset after a play at the goal during the second half of Wednesday night’s match against LAFC in Austin, Texas. LAFC won, 2-1. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)

  • An Austin FC fan waits in the stands before Wednesday night’s match against LAFC in Austin, Texas. LAFC won, 2-1. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)

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AUSTIN, Texas — Danny Musovski scored moments after entering the game, Cristian Arango scored on a penalty kick and surging Los Angeles FC beat Austin FC, 2-1, on Wednesday night.

Musovski, who subbed on in the 76th minute, slipped behind the defense, ran onto a through ball by José Cifuentes and beat goalkeeper Brad Stuver to give LAFC (9-9-6, 33 points) a 2-1 lead in the 81st.

“Danny’s defensive positioning helped start the play … and the finish was excellent,” LAFC coach Bob Bradley said. “It’s been a constant effort to get him to think faster and to play faster. He still, at times, the game goes by him too easily.

“Lately, you can see some progress, and I think when he came on the field today he was very motivated because I think he feels confident that lately it’s been going in a good direction (for him).”

Arango converted from the spot – his fifth goal in the last four games – to open the scoring in the 59th minute. Diego Fagundez, whose hand ball in the area set up Arango’s goal, put away the rebound of Cecilio Dominguez’s shot off the post to tie it in the 67th.

LAFC snapped a four-game road losing streak.

“From the start of the game we came out with good energy,” Musovski said. “We knew it was going to be a tough environment.”

LAFC was again without 2019 MLS MVP Carlos Vela (quadriceps), but also played without Eduard Atuesta (ankle) and Sebastien Ibeagha (yellow card accumulation).

Sweeping the three-game season series gave LAFC its second nine-point stretch of the year.

Austin (5-15-4, 19 points), which has the worst record in the Western Conference, has lost four straight matches. The club has followed each of its last four victories with at least three consecutive losses.

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