LAFC again dominates RSL

Same opponent, just a different venue, but the result was the exact same for LAFC.

Playing the home half of a de facto home-and-home series with Real Salt Lake, LAFC had a bit of a scare early in the first half as they fell behind, but two goals inside first half stoppage time turned the tide for LAFC, and they rode the momentum from that late first half surge to another win over RSL, ironically by the exact same score line of 4-1.

“The adjustment from last game was just to understand their verticality and buildup play in the second phase,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said. “

While the result and the final score was the exact same as last Wednesday, the match was a role reversal for Denis Bouanga and Son-Heung Min. Three days ago, Son had a hat trick and Denis Bouanga contributed a goal, which made him LAFC’s all-time leading goal scorer. However on Sunday, Son and Bouanga switched roles, as Bouanga had the hat trick and Son scored the winning goal, as both players turned in outstanding performances on a night LAFC honored franchise legend Carlos Vela, the man Bouanga surpassed for the goal-scoring record.

“The fans love him and the clubs love him and it was good to seem,” Son said of meeting Vela for the first time. “I was happy to see him, and one day, I want to be like him as well when I’m retiring and I come back to LA.”

Just like the last match, RSL again came out aggressive, but unlike three days ago, RSL saw its early aggressiveness pay off with a goal in the 14th minute. Brayan Vera launched a left-footed volley from just outside the penalty area that sailed past keeper Hugo Lloris far post to give Salt Lake the early lead. 

Then came the key first half stoppage time that vaulted LAFC to victory. LAFC caught fire at a critical juncture in the match. LAFC pushed an equalizer across in the 46th minute, as Denis Bouanga received a ball from Artem Smolyakov, Bouanga played a ball to Son, the ball deflected off an RSL defender, but still made its way to Son’s feet, Bouanga timed his run well enough for Son to play him forward, and Bouanga slotted a right footed shot past keeper Rafael Cabral far post to level the match.

Going into the half level would’ve been good enough for any team, but LAFC saw a chance to push further, and they did just that. LAFC again held the ball deep inside RSL territory, Son received a ball from David Martinez, and with all sorts of space to operate with, took a touch, then fired a left-footed volley just outside the penalty area, the ball got past Cabral, hit off the near post but crossed the goal line to give LAFC the lead in the 48th minute.

Bouanga closed the match for LAFC in the second half. Bouanga made it a brace in the 73rd minute, as Nathan Ordaz spring Bouanga forward, Bouanga, who just managed to time his run right to get behind center back Justen Glad, dribbled into the penalty area, Cabral left his line and Bouanga chipped a ball off his right foot over Cabral and into the back net to double the LAFC advantage. Bouanga got his hat trick in the 87th minute, as Jeremy Ebobissie capitalized on poor passing from RSL, which allowed him to gain possession, Ebobissie played Bouanga into the penalty area, Bouanga took a quick touch before firing the right-footed shot into the back net to basically seal the three points for LAFC.

“I think the momentum we’ve built and the fluidity we have right now, we’re gelling real well,” LAFC midfielder Marky Delgado said.

The result was key for LAFC, as the win combined with Seattle’s loss to Austin FC earlier in the day puts LAFC (14-7-8, 50 points) five points clear of the Sounders for the fourth spot in the Western Conference. LAFC looks to maintain its current form next Saturday, as they travel to the Gateway City to face St. Louis City SC.