Treats in Carson: Reus Pulls the Strings as Galaxy Bury Austin 4-1 to Stay Alive
Three assists from Marco Reus, a goal on his return for Hirving Lozano and a first MLS strike for Sergi Roberto keep the Galaxy’s playoff hopes breathing heading into the final weekend.
Oct 31, 2026 · @David Garcia · Longshots Sports Media | Photographer: Xavier Estrada
CARSON, Calif. — No tricks this time. Just treats.
On a Halloween afternoon at Dignity Health Sports Park, with costumes in the stands and the final home match of the regular season on the line, the LA Galaxy did exactly what they had to do. They beat Austin FC 4-1, and they did it early enough that the final whistle blew a little after 4 p.m. — plenty of time for the families in attendance to get home, grab a pillowcase and hit the neighborhood before dark.
It was a game the Galaxy needed. After letting a two-goal lead slip in a 2-2 draw at LAFC last weekend, there was no margin left. A win kept them in the hunt. Anything less, and the season could have been decided before Halloween night was over.
Fast Start
LA wasted no time. In the 10th minute, Sergi Roberto jumped on a sloppy Austin clearance deep in the visitors’ half and slipped it to Harbor Miller at the edge of the box. Miller squared it for João Klauss, who finished from the penalty spot for his 10th goal of the season.
The Galaxy controlled the tempo from there, holding 55 percent of possession, and doubled the lead in the 38th minute with one of the prettiest goals of the night. Marco Reus — a late call after missing the LAFC match through illness — lofted a chip over the Austin back line, and Hirving Lozano rose at the back post to head it home.
It was Lozano’s first match back from a hamstring injury, and he marked it with a goal.
Galaxy 2, Austin 0 at the break.
Reus Takes Over
If the first half belonged to the Galaxy, the second belonged to Reus.
Three minutes after the restart, the German found Robert Taylor, who had all the time in the world against a loose Austin defense. Taylor spun and ripped a right-footed shot just under the crossbar — against his former club, no less — to make it 3-0 in the 48th minute.
Austin answered in the 54th when Ervin Torres unloaded from distance for his second goal of the season, briefly giving the Verde something to build on. It didn’t last.
In the 66th minute, Reus headed a ball into Roberto’s path. The Spaniard chested it down and fired from near the spot for his first goal in MLS, restoring the three-goal cushion and closing the door for good. That was Reus’ third assist of the day.
Austin finished the match with ten men after a red card in the closing minutes, a fitting end to an afternoon where nothing went their way.
The Playoff Picture
The win lifts the Galaxy to 11-11-11 and 44 points, jumping them from 10th up to seventh in the Western Conference. They now sit three points behind sixth-place LAFC, which plays Minnesota on Sunday.
The form is coming at the right time. LA has lost just once in its last eight matches and scored 19 goals in that stretch. At home, they haven’t lost since July 22.
Austin falls to 8-15-10 with 34 points.
Up Next
It all comes down to one match. The Galaxy close the regular season at Real Salt Lake next Saturday, while Austin returns home to face Portland.
For one Halloween night, though, Galaxy fans got to go trick-or-treating with a win in their pocket. Next week will decide whether there’s still more candy left in this season.
Final: LA Galaxy 4, Austin FC 1 Goals: LA — Klauss 10′, Lozano 38′, Taylor 48′, Roberto 66′ | ATX — Torres 54′ Assists (LA): Miller (Klauss), Reus x3 (Lozano, Taylor, Roberto) Venue: Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, Calif.
