Ordaz strikes late to clinch 2-1 MLS Cup playoff victory for LAFC against Austin

The surprising star Nathan Ordaz guided Los Angeles FC to a 2-1 triumph over Austin FC on Wednesday night, marking the first leg of their opening round MLS Cup playoff matchup.

This 21 year old player from El Salvador timed his run perfectly to convert a chance created by LAFC's dynamic attacking pair, Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga, right in the 79th minute.

Son, the standout from South Korea, drove the ball forward into the penalty area before linking up with Bouanga. The shot from the left hand side of the box glanced off a defender and was cleverly finished by the fresh substitute Ordaz to restore LAFC's lead at 2-1.

"Thank God I was onside," Ordaz commented. "That actually might have been going in, but I just didn't want to risk it. So honestly, thank God."

LAFC had gone ahead earlier in the 20th minute thanks to an unfortunate own goal from Austin defender Brendan Hines-Ike, triggered by a cross from Ryan Hollingshead that ricocheted off him.

Austin's Jon Gallagher managed to level the scores in the 63rd minute, yet the three game series now travels to Austin for the second fixture on Sunday, leaving LAFC with the upper hand.

The team that emerges victorious from this series will take on either Dallas or the Vancouver Whitecaps in the one off Western Conference semi final.

At present, the Whitecaps hold a 1-0 advantage in their own series.