Denis Bouanga scores twice to lead LAFC to victory over Seattle
Denis Bouanga scored on a first-half penalty kick before adding a second-half goal and LAFC ended the Seattle Sounders’ five-match win streak with a 3-0 victory on Saturday night.
LAFC (14-5-5) took a 1-0 lead 16 minutes into the match after a hand ball in the penalty area by Seattle defender Nouhou Tolo following a video review led to Bouanga’s penalty kick.
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.
Kei Kamara was a child in war-torn Sierra Leone who somehow ended up in Los Angeles, where he soon discovered he could have a soccer career.
Bouanga found the net for the 16th time this season to make it 3-0 in the 74th minute.
Hugo Lloris made four saves for LAFC. It was the ninth shutout 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 season.
LAFC beat the Sounders 1-0 in a Western Conference semifinals 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.
Seattle entered the match with only one loss in its last 13 matches through all competitions. The Sounders began the night with just 26 goals allowed, tops in the Western Conference and third in the league.
LAFC improved to 12-0-1 when Bouanga contributes to a goal this season.
The two clubs will also square off in a U.S. Open Cup semifinal match in Seattle on Aug. 27 at Starfire Sports Complex.
The league takes a monthlong break to play for the Leagues Cup. LAFC will play at the Vancouver Whitecaps when play resumes on Aug. 24.
