LAFC Beat Sporting KC: Bouanga Shines Ahead Of Club World Cup!
Colaboradores
Los Angeles FC (LAFC) celebrated a thrilling 3-1 comeback victory against Sporting Kansas City (SKC) at BMO Stadium, with Gabonese superstar Denis Bouanga stealing the show just before the highly anticipated 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Bouanga's stellar performance included a goal and two assists, solidifying his status as a key player for the Black and Gold.
Bouanga's Brilliance Fuels LAFC's Victory
Bouanga’s impact was undeniable. He replicated his heroics from the FIFA Club World Cup play-in match against Club América, where he assisted the equalizer and scored the winning goal. Against SKC, his corner kick led to Eddie Segura's header, canceling out Dejan Joveljić's opener just before halftime. Segura praised Bouanga's set-piece delivery, emphasizing the team's dedication to practicing corners.
Bouanga continued to terrorize the SKC defense, drawing a penalty which he confidently converted. To cap off his remarkable performance, he assisted Olivier Giroud's late goal, marking Giroud's second consecutive MLS match with a goal. Coach Steve Cherundolo highlighted the burgeoning partnership between Bouanga and Giroud, noting their chemistry and desire to play together.
Cherundolo's Focus: MLS Before Club World Cup
Despite the excitement surrounding LAFC's Club World Cup qualification, Cherundolo stressed the importance of focusing on their MLS commitments. He acknowledged the significance of participating in the Club World Cup, highlighting the prestige it brings to the club and the league. However, he insisted that the team's immediate priority was the match against Sporting Kansas City.
Sporting KC's Unbeaten Run
Sporting Kansas City entered the match on a four-game unbeaten run in the MLS, having previously defeated the Houston Dynamo 3-1. Dejan Joveljić's two goals in that victory underscored his importance to the team under interim head coach Kerry Zavagnin. Zavagnin praised Joveljić's work ethic and dedication.
- LAFC secured a spot in the 32-team Club World Cup.
- Denis Bouanga delivered a man-of-the-match performance with a goal and two assists.
- Steve Cherundolo remains focused on MLS commitments despite Club World Cup qualification.
The victory keeps LAFC in a strong position as they prepare for both the remainder of the MLS season and the upcoming Club World Cup.