Austin FC routs league-leading LAFC behind two goals from Maxi Urruti

In the biggest game in club history, Austin FC produced the best performance of its short existence.

El Tree dominated Los Angeles FC 4-1 Friday at Q2 Stadium in a matchup between the top two teams in the Western Conference, with LAFC entering the game as the top team in the MLS.

Diego Fagúndez’s clinical free kick, two goals from Maxi Urruti and Sebastián Driussi’s brilliant individual effort against LAFC defender Jesús Murillo and tough-angled goal accounted for Austin FC’s scoring, while the team in general played exceptional soccer.

Here are some observations from the match as the club has a quick turnaround with a Wednesday home match against Portland:

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Austin FC stays in Supporters' Shield race

Austin FC was crisp, clinical, precise and physical. It took advantage of mistakes and played smart soccer amid an electric atmosphere.

For the last 25 minutes of the first half and the first 15 minutes of the second half, the team played about as well as you’ll ever see in the MLS.

It had already established itself as a contender for the MLS Cup, but routing the top team in the league less than two months before the playoffs is about as impressive as it gets in the regular season.

With 51 points, El Tree is still in the conversation for the Supporters’ Shield with seven matches to play in a three-way race with LAFC (57 points) and Philadelphia.

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Maxi Urruti excels with brace

Urruti had his best game in months, scoring an impressive flick-header, taking advantage of a defensive breakdown and being a continuous nuisance in LAFC’s half for the entire game.

Urruti was a great addition in the offseason who has exceeded expectations with nine goals and his play in general.

Sebastián Driussi maintains pace as MVP candidate

Driussi’s league-leading 19th goal drew awe in the press box and the stadium as he and Fagúndez had a great buildup, then his quick move left Segura on the ground, and he rocketed the ball at a sharp angle past goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau.

Great players step up in big games — and Driussi certainly did, further cementing his MVP case.

Diego Fagúndez's free kick stellar

Fagúndez is quickly becoming one of the better free-kick takers in the MLS.

Somewhat appropriately with Gareth Bale on the field for LAFC — the Welsh international has been known for his free kicks — Fagúndez’s free-kick goal in the 32nd minute was about as precise a shot as you’ll see from roughly 20 yards out.

Not only did he clear the defense’s wall at the right height, but he also put it close enough to the upper-right corner of the goal that Crépeau had no chance at it.

Fagúndez has noted that he spends loads of time after practice working on free kicks, and it certainly shows.

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Chippy game: Budding rivalry?

The game was especially chippy in the first half.

Driussi was targeted a fair amount, but he took an elbow to the face from Eddie Segura that drew a yellow card and arguably could have brought a red.

Late in the half, Urruti was aggressively shielded from a ball going out of bounds by Murillo, prompting a small melee between the teams with a fair amount of pushing and jersey-grabbing.

Urruti and Fagúndez both drew yellow cards for Austin, and Crépeau was booked for LAFC.

It was another indication of the game being a contest between the top two teams in the West, but it was important for Austin FC to show there wasn’t even the slightest bit of intimidation by an LAFC roster that is filled with notable names.

Back line strong for Austin FC

It’s worth mentioning that the defense, and particularly Julio Cascante, turned in a strong performance.

Cascante and the unit overall have been the target of recent fan and media criticism, and he and the back line as a whole were very strong.

Right back Nick Lima is in contention for one of the most underrated players in MLS.

Josh Wolff building momentum for coach of the year

He was already the leader, but Austin FC coach Josh Wolff might have cemented his status as the league’s coach of the year.

The roster management has been brilliant, and the team performance has wildly exceeded any expectations. If El Tree ends up hosting a playoff game, which it is clearly in line to do, he’s likely to get the award.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin FC vs Los Angeles FC: Highlights, scores of Friday's match