LAFC vs FC Cincinnati – September 28, 2024
The Los Angeles Football Club are officially in the Ausi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs following their LAFC vs FC Cincinnati 2-1 victory at TQL Stadium on Saturday night. Both David Martinez and Denis Bouanga scored a goal each, allowing the Black and Gold to qualify for their sixth playoff berth over the last seven years.
Martinez was able to find the back of the net in the 34th minute of the match when he crept in the box and took a left-footed strike through three FC Cincinnati defenders along with goalkeeper Roman Celentano. The assist was credited to Lewis O’Brien, his first for LAFC, who initiated the play and found Martinez.
FC Cincinnati were able to tie the game in the second half when Luca Orellano scored from outside the box with 61 minutes on the clock. The floaty left-footed shot was deflected by a Black and Gold jersey but the velocity of the ball still allowed it to drift into the back of the net and past LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Martinez was replaced by Bouanga during the break, and it was the 2023 MLS Golden Boot winner who put LAFC back in the lead during the 73rd minute. Lloris first found Olivier Giroud on a long goal kick, then it was Giroud who found Bouanga on the right wing for the one on one play against FC Cincinnati’s Ian Murphy.
Bouanga’s goal marked his 18th of the 2024 season and only trails behind D.C. United’s Christian Benteke for league leader with 21. LAFC will head back home to BMO Stadium to play against St. Louis City SC on Wednesday, October 2.