LAFC starts playoff run with win vs. Vancouver

Last Sunday, in its regular season finale, it was all joy as LAFC not only wrapped up the season with a come-from-behind win over San Jose for its sixth win in a row, but unexpectedly got to celebrate a regular season Western Conference title due.

This Sunday, opening up the MLS Cup playoffs against the Vancouver Whitecaps, LAFC was all business. Unlike last year, when it lost the opener by five goals, Vancouver fared better this time around, hitting the framework a couple of times. However, the result was ultimately the same, as LAFC got goals from Denis Bouanga and Cristian Olivera, and LAFC took the series lead with a 2-1 win at BMO Stadium.

“Anytime there’s a score like tonight, it changes the momentum and the way we play,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said. “We adapted to the score line, which I think makes us difficult to play against.”

Vancouver had a golden opportunity to surprise LAFC in the seventh minute. Stuart Armstrong split the LAFC defense with a through ball that played Brian White into the penalty area, White actually slotted the shot past keeper Hugo Lloris, only for the ball to not only bounce off the far post, but bounce around the goal mouth without the ball actually crossing the goal line.

The moment for LAFC started in the 27th minute. Mateusz Bogusz led an LAFC break, Bogusz played Ryan Hollingshead into the penalty area, Hollingshead then played a back pass of sorts back to Bogusz who one-timed  a shot at goal, Tristan Blackmon blocked the shot, but Bogusz immediately claimed handball. Referee Jair Marrufo soon for the call for Video Review, which confirmed the ball deflected off Blackmon’s left hand, and Marrufo immediately signaled LAFC to the penalty spot. Bouanga converted the penalty in the 30th minute.

“It’s very important for us to score first because most of the time when we do that we are setting the base,” Bouanga said. “We usually react to the game, but when we score first it gives us an edge.”

LAFC again survived a scare just before halftime. Vancouver again was foiled by the framework, and it happened in first half stoppage time, as a free kick by Ryan Gauld hit off the crossbar. Having dodged that bullet, LAFC pressed on, and got a second goal in the 57th minute. LAFC pushed the ball forward, Hollingshead passed to Bogusz, who then played Olivera into the penalty area, and Olivera blasted the right footed shot past keeper Yohei Takaoka into the back net.

LAFC fans also got a long-awaited moment in the 86th minute, as Carlos Vela finally returned to the pitch, subbing in for Bouanga and finishing the match. The Whitecaps did get the last word, as Ryan Gauld prevented the shutout with a goal in stoppage time.