Seattle Sounders 0-3 Los Angeles FC: Bouanga stars to get visitors back to winning ways

Los Angeles FC kept rivals LA Galaxy within touching distance as they got back to winning ways with a 3-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders on Saturday.

Denis Bouanga scored in both halves, either side of Mateusz Bogusz’s strike, to earn a resounding win at Lumen Field.

The hosts got off to a terrible start as Nouhou Tolo was penalised for a handball during a scramble in the box, with a spot-kick being awarded to LAFC.

Bouanga made no mistake from 12 yards, giving Stefan Frei no chance as he rifled a powerful effort high down the middle.

LAFC doubled their lead 10 minutes later, with Seattle failing to clear their lines following a free-kick before Bogusz volleyed brilliantly across goal.

Despite a flurry of chances in the second half, the Sounders failed to test their opponents and were caught on the break when Bouanga neatly turned two defenders before beating Frei for power.

He could have had a hat-trick late on as he got one-on-one with Frei, but the goalkeeper stood his ground, saving brilliantly to deny him.

Seattle finally found their fight in the dying moments, with Hugo Lloris called into three huge saves to keep his clean sheet and ensure LAFC go into the Leagues Cup break just two points behind the Galaxy in the Western Conference with two games in hand.

Road W.#SEAvLAFC pic.twitter.com/HVkGyWyy6W

— LAFC (@LAFC) July 21, 2024

Data Debrief: Bouanga closing in

Bouanga’s second goal of the match was his 16th this season, the most of any LAFC player. It also moves him just one behind Real Salt Lake’s Chicho Arango in the race for the Golden Boot.

At the other end of the pitch, Lloris’ impressive late show saw him earn a ninth clean sheet of the season in 24 games. No team has had more shutouts in MLS this campaign than LAFC.