Austin FC's woes continue in 2-1 home loss to LAFC

The results continue to not go Austin FC’s way.

Though coach Josh Wolff couldn’t be unhappy with his team’s intensity or effort Wednesday night — unlike in the first half of Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Houston — El Tree fell for the 10th time in the past 12 matches with a 2-1 loss to Los Angeles FC at Q2 Stadium.

There were some positives to take from the match, especially in the second half when Austin FC played crisp, high-energy soccer for the final 30 minutes, but the bottom line is El Tree — however unlucky — failed to get a win at home against a team in the middle of the standings that rested several starters after playing Sunday.

“It’s really tough for us to win matches,” said Wolff, whose team is in last place in the Western Conference. “The response, attitude and effort tonight was really good. The three points were there for the taking — we had a few shots scrape by the post. There were opportunities there, and it was frustrating.”

More:Meet Los Verdes: The loudest fans of the Austin FC soccer team

With the match tied 1-1, LAFC produced the winning goal in the 81st minute when Daniel Musovski had a clinical finish after a few touches in the box following a phenomenal through ball from José Cifuentes.

Rodney Redes’ shot just wide of the post in the 88th minute was Austin FC’s best opportunity to tie the match, but it was representative of other scoring opportunities as El Tree’s only shot on goal during the contest was the one on which it scored.

“Frustrating night,” Austin FC defender Nick Lima said. “There was a lot of anger (from the players) after that result. We had a good effort and had opportunities to go up. At the end of the day, we have to find what wins us games.”

Wolff got what he wished before the match when Austin FC didn’t let adversity affect it.

In fact, El Tree played its best soccer after LAFC forward Cristian Arango converted a penalty in the 59th minute for a 1-0 lead as video review showed Austin FC midfielder Diego Fagundez was hit in the arm just inside the edge of the box on a cross.

“The refs make the calls, and we have to live with those decisions,” Wolff said. “The penalty is a tough call. The arm’s not terribly far away from the body — it’s disappointing. The reaction and response after that was really good.”

More:The heartbeat of Q2: Supporter groups Austin Anthem, Los Verdes ready for Austin FC opener

Austin FC tied the game seven minutes later when Fagundez cleaned up Cecilio Domínguez’s shot off the post after a nice pass into the penalty area from Alexander Ring. But after LAFC took the lead, El Tree couldn’t find the equalizer.

The performance was a dramatic difference from Saturday, when Austin FC allowed a goal in less than 45 seconds during the opening run of play.

Wolff made it a point that his team needed to start with intensity from kickoff, and that wasn’t an issue Wednesday as El Tree provided plenty of energetic play in the first 15 minutes, even if — outside of midfielder Cecilio Domínguez — it wasn’t particularly sharp.

Austin FC even had a goal from Sebastián Driussi waved off due to Domínguez being offsides after a long pass from the defense in the fourth minute.

But LAFC gradually controlled the game flow after the 20th minute until its first goal, with Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver making a couple of saves to keep the team from falling behind earlier.

“It would be nice if we could give back to (Stuver) for all the great play he’s given us this year,” Lima said.

Austin FC will continue a three-game homestand Saturday against San Jose, and Lima noted that the team can’t dwell on the ball not bouncing its way.

“We need to stop, go forward and not feel like we’re victims,” he said. “With the opportunities tonight, we looked like a better team. There’s still a chance (for the playoffs), and we’re going to go out until the last game. It’s a long year, and there’s a lot still to be done.”