LAFC edge out Vancouver as Orlando take the advantage against Charlotte

Denis Bouanga and Cristian Olivera were on target as Los Angeles FC edged out the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 on Sunday.

LAFC, the 2022 MLS Cup champions, will book their place in the next round should they win north of the border next week.

Ryan Gauld netted in the 94th minute for the Whitecaps, but it was too little, too late for the Canadian side, who hammered the Portland Timbers in the wildcard round.

LAFC have now won seven straight playoff games against Western Conference opponents, while Bouanga has netted eight goals in nine postseason appearances.

Hugo Lloris, however, says LAFC must sharpen up.

“The performance is not [good] enough, but we got the result so that’s the most important thing,” Lloris said.

“We need to increase [our levels] if we want to have ambition. A win is a win, so that’s positive, but there were things we need to fix if we are to improve.”

Win #1 for @LAFC

Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/jQYk20yUY3

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 28, 2024

Elsewhere, Orlando City also made a winning start to their playoff campaign as they beat Charlotte FC 2-0.

Facundo Torres put Orlando ahead in the 32nd minute at Inter&Co Stadium, with Martin Ojeda doubling the hosts’ tally 14 minutes from time.

A frustrating day for Dean Smith’s Charlotte team was compounded when Pep Biel was sent off late on, though they will at least have home advantage when they look to turn the best-of-three series around next time out.