LAFC routs Sporting Kansas City, prolongs race for West’s top seed

LAFC is still in it for first place in the Western Conference.

Facing Sporting Kansas City for the second time in 10 days, this time at Children’s Mercy Park, LAFC showed once and for all who was the better side. David Martinez and Cristian Olivera got LAFC going with first half goals, then Aaron Long virtually sealed it with a second half goal, and LAFC walked out of Kansas City with the 3-0 win.

“To come out with a shutout, three good goals and finish the game off professionally feels good,” Long said

The win keeps LAFC alive for the top seed in the Western Conference, as they have one more game in hand, and that game will be next week in British Columbia against the Vancouver Whitecaps. LAFC did accomplish one feat with this win, as they clinched home field advantage in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs.

“All in all, we’re very happy,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said of the result and performance. “They’re important points for us in a good performance.”

Bouanga was knocked down from behind by Zorhan Bassong and referee Marcos DeOliveira II signaled for the penalty spot. Bouanga stepped up and sent the shot down the middle, but keeper Tim Melia did not budge from his spot, sending the penalty back into play. Luckily for LAFC, the ball fell to the feet of Martinez, and he slotted the rebound chance into the back net to give LAFC the lead.

LAFC doubled its lead at a pivotal point in the match. LAFC was on the attack as the first half went into stoppage time, Bouanga sent a left-footed cross into the penalty area all the way into the six-yard box, Melia missed the ball, leaving an opening for Olivera and he came through, as he took a quick touch, then fired the ball into the back net to double the LAFC advantage.

LAFC wrapped up the three points in the 69th minute. LAFC had the ball deep inside Sporting’s side of the field, Eddie Segura played a ball to Long inside the penalty area, Long finished off the sequence with a right-footed volley that sailed past a diving Melia and into the far post net to make a three-goal lead.