Austin FC Closes Its Season Saturday at the LA Galaxy, Who Need a Win and Help to Keep Their Playoff Hopes Alive
Austin's season ends in Carson either way — the Verde were eliminated Wednesday — but the Galaxy, 10th on 41 points, must win and still get help to climb back into the Western Conference playoff places.
Austin FC's season ends where the stakes belong to somebody else. The Verde close the MLS regular season on Saturday at the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California — kickoff 6 p.m. local time — already eliminated from playoff contention and playing out the final 90 minutes of 2026.
Austin arrives 14th in the Western Conference with 34 points, its fate settled on Wednesday night at Q2 Stadium, where Real Salt Lake's 2-1 win eliminated the Verde (this station's SQ-20261028-069). Saturday's result changes nothing about Austin's winter: the season ends regardless, and the questions move to what the club builds next.
The Galaxy's afternoon is the opposite. Los Angeles enters the final matchday 10th with 41 points, outside the West's direct playoff places after a 2-2 draw with LAFC in El Trafico, and trailing Real Salt Lake (42 points) and Seattle (43). A win over Austin is the first requirement — necessary, but on its own not sufficient: the Galaxy also need help from other results to climb back into contention. Marco Reus is available again for Los Angeles after recovering from the illness that kept him out of the previous match.
For Austin, the finale is a spoiler's audition and a last look at a squad that spent the autumn chasing a playoff line it could not reach. The Sports Desk will file the final from Carson tonight.
