Giroud debuts, LAFC routs Quakes to advance in Leagues Cup

LAFC had two objectives heading into its Round of 16 match against the San Jose Earthquakes in Leagues Cup on Tuesday night; win and advance, and get its latest high profile signing, French striker Olivier Giroud, onto the field.

Both objectives were met, though the ease of the first objective made it easier for the second objective to be met. Denis Bouanga sent the tone for LAFC, as his brace in the match enabled LAFC to have an easy time with the Quakes, as the eliminated them from the tournament with a 4-1 win at BMO Stadium.

“One more round for us,” LAFC midfielder Ilie Sanchez said. “We knew we were facing San Jose coming off a great game against Necaxa and also knowing that it would be one of the last opportunities to have a good run in this Leagues Cup. We took the game very seriously from the very first minute and I think that in the end, trying to be superior ,here at home, has been what turned the match in our favor.”

Aside from Bouanga’s two goals, LAFC got goals from Cristian Olivera and Mateusz Bogusz, as LAFC sets up a quarterfinal date with the Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field on Saturday night.

“The performance tonight is the four goals of the team,” Bouanga said. “We’re happy to go to Seattle. We’re ready for the next round at Seattle. Ready to win.”  

LAFC opened the scoring in the 17th minute. Ryan Hollingshead headed a ball forward, Olivera raced to beat Daniel Munie to the ball and in the process, got a touch on the ball that enabled him to deke Munie, Olivera then dribbled into the penalty area and slotted the shot past keeper William Yarborough at the far post to stake LAFC to the lead.

However, San Jose, which advanced to the knockout stages of this tournament despite a so-far dismal MLS campaign and a coaching change, was up for the fight, and pulled level in the 41st minute off the left foot of Hernan Lopez. A sequence of passes deep inside LAFC’s side of the field resulted in Benjamin Kikanovic crossed from the right side into the penalty area Maxime Chanot was unable to make a play on the ball, which left the door open for Lopez to swoop in and one-time a left-footed shot past keeper Hugo Lloris far post to level matters.

LAFC though managed to catch a huge break just as the first half was coming to a close. It started when Hollingshead played a ball to an unmarked Eduard Atuesta inside the penalty area, yarborough came out to contest Atuesta, and at the last minute, he clipped Atuesta from behind, and referee Pierre Luc Lauziere awarded LAFC the penalty. Lauziere did consult with VAR referee Daneon Parchment, but the call stood. Bouanga stepped up to the spot and buried the penalty to wrestle the lead back to LAFC just before the half.

LAFC blew the game open in the second half.  Bogusz electrified the crowd in the 61st minute, as he launched a rocket from about 25 yards out that was badly misplayed by Yarborough, as the shot deflected off him and trickled across the goal line into the back net. Bouanga capped off the scoring in the 66th minute, as Olivera sprung him down the left side with a long ball, Bouanga deked Rodrigues inside the penalty area, then fire the left-footed shot past Yarborough far post to get his brace.

With victory secured, all that seemingly was left to do was get Giroud’s long-awaited MLS debut in Black and Gold out of the way, and the moment came in the 71st minute, as he subbed in for Olivera.

“I was looking forward to playing on this pitch in front of this amazing crowd, my family and friends also,” Giroud said. “I received a warm welcome from everyone at the club, the staff and the players, everyone is working as a club. I felt like I was welcomed like a part of the family.”