Austin FC's playoff hopes are on the line as they face LAFC in the first round of the MLS playoffs. The club is looking to bounce back from a 2-1 loss in Game 1, where they struggled to create scoring opportunities. Coach Nico Estévez will be looking to make adjustments to his team's strategy, after a first half where they failed to register a shot on target. LAFC's coach Steve Cherundolo, who has announced that this will be his final season, is seeking to lead his team to a third trip to the league final in four seasons. Austin FC's players, including those who have been instrumental in their regular season success, will need to be ready for a physical matchup, as LAFC's midfielder Timothy Tillman noted. The team's ability to hold the ball and limit LAFC's counterattacks will be crucial in Game 2. With the risk of getting exposed by LAFC's attacking players, such as Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-min, Austin FC will need to find a balance between defense and offense. The game will be played in Texas, where Austin FC will be looking to feed off the energy of their home crowd. A win for Austin FC would force a deciding Game 3, while a loss would end their playoff run. The team is looking to make a deep run in the playoffs, after a strong regular season performance. Austin FC's fans will be eagerly watching the matchup, hoping that their team can overcome the deficit and advance to the next round.