Denis Bouanga scores twice as LAFC snaps Sounders’ five-match win streak with 3-0 victory
SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 26: Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga (99) handles the ball during a MLS Western Conference Semi-final game between the Seattle Sounders and LAFC on November 26, 2023 at Lumen Field in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Jeff Halstead/Ic (Jeff Halstead / Icon Sportswire / Getty Images)
SEATTLE - Denis Bouanga scored on a first-half penalty kick before adding a second-half goal and Los Angeles FC snapped the Seattle Sounders’ five-match win streak with a 3-0 victory on Saturday night.
LAFC (14-5-5) took a 1-0 lead just 16 minutes into the match after a handball foul on Seattle defender Nouhou Tolo following a video review led to Bouanga’s PK.
Mateusz Bogusz gave LAFC a two-goal lead when he scored unassisted in the 26th minute off a set piece. It was his 13th goal of the season.
Bouanga found the net for the 16th time this season to make it 3-0 in the 74th minute. Kei Kamara notched his third assist on the goal and defender Sergi Palencia collected his fourth.
Hugo Lloris saved four shots in goal for LAFC. It was the ninth clean sheet of the season for Lloris, tying him with Kristijan Kahlina of Charlotte FC for the league lead.
Stefan Frei, who posted the 112th shutout of his career to tie Kevin Hartman for second on the all-time list his last time out, had just one save for the Sounders (10-8-7) in their second home loss of the campaign.
LAFC beat the Sounders 1-0 in a Western Conference semifinal last season on a first-half goal by Bouanga for its first win in Seattle since its debut season in 2018. Seattle failed to score in three matchups with LAFC last season. LAFC posted a 2-1 win at home over the Sounders in the season opener.