Los Angeles Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney has encouraged Gabriel Pec to replicate his Champions Cup form in MLS ahead of their trip to Austin FC.

The Galaxy lost 4-2 against Toluca in their Champions Cup quarter-final first leg, though Pec managed to get on the scoresheet for the MLS side.

Pec is the top scorer in the competition with six goals. However, he is yet to find the back of the net in five MLS games in 2026.

Vanney praised Pec's performance against Toluca, but wants to see the 25-year-old find his goal-scoring touch in the league.

"I thought from beginning to end, Gabe [Pec] looked like one of our most energetic players, it looked like nothing fazed him out there in terms of, the opportunities," said Vanney.

"He just looked like he was ready to go and just run. And he was causing problems through the course of the game. So, I feel like for him, it was a good game. 

"Look, we want him to continue to score goals. We want him to score goals in the league and just to be consistent in that regard.

"Sometimes for goals, it's about confidence. It's nice that he was able to get one and feel that again because I know it's been a little frustrating for him.

"So, he's just got to keep working, just like the team. Working on doing the right things and getting to the right spots and finishing when we get to those spots. 

"I was happy for him just to get that going again. But again, I thought he put in a good shift."

Austin sit just one place above the Galaxy in 11th in the Western Conference after picking up six points from as many games to start the 2026 campaign.

They drew 2-2 with reigning MLS Cup champions Inter Miami last time out, in what was the first game at Nu Stadium.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Austin FC – Guilherme Biro

Guilherme Biro’s sixth-minute goal for Austin against Miami on Saturday was the fourth headed goal of the season for the Verde, tied for the most in MLS (with New England).

Since last August, Austin have scored 11 headed goals in regular-season play, four more than any other team in that span.

Los Angeles Galaxy – Marco Reus

Marco Reus has totalled 22 goal contributions (eight goals, 14 assists) in 33 MLS matches, including scoring LA Galaxy’s lone goal in their defeat to Minnesota United last Saturday.

Reus has been directly involved in each of the Galaxy’s last three MLS goals (two goals, one assist).

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

Austin are unbeaten in their first three home matches this season (W1 D2). Dating back to mid-May, Austin have lost only one of their last 14 regular-season matches at Q2 Stadium (W5 D8), a 3-1 defeat to St Louis City in October.

LA Galaxy, meanwhile, are winless in 20 consecutive regular-season away matches (D8 L12) but have managed to draw six of the last 10 on the road.

This is the longest road winless run in the Galaxy’s MLS history and tied for the eighth longest in league history.

Austin won both meetings with the Galaxy last season, recording a 1-0 home win in April and a 2-1 away win in July.

Austin had managed just two wins in eight previous meetings with LA Galaxy dating back to their debut MLS season in 2021 (D1 L5).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Austin FC – 41.2%

Draw – 26.7%

Los Angeles Galaxy – 32.1%