LAFC vs Vancouver Whitecaps – October 28, 2023
Opening the 2023 Audi MLS Cup with a 5-2 win, the Black and Gold came out on top in Game 1 of the LAFC vs Vancouver Whitecaps matchup at BMO Stadium. Dénis Bouanga was able to secure a brace while Ryan Hollingshead added to the board with a brace of his own.
Kicking things off in the 18th minute, Hollingshead found the back of the net for his fifth score of the season. Whitecaps forward Brian White equalized the match less than 10 minutes after, converting a tough goal through Maxime Crépeau all while getting slid tackled.
Then it was DB time. Bouanga crept up through the top of the penalty box and shot a laser through Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka to bring LAFC up 2-1. Whitecaps’ Sam Adekugbe then leveled up the match once again in the 40th minute to keep things interesting. Needless to say, all of this occurred in just the first half.
After intermission, both Hollinghead and Bouanga scored a goal each in the first 20 minutes post-break. Hollingshead connected on a left-footed goal right at the 52’ while Bouanga scored in the 64’ through countless jerseys in the box. With a two goal lead, LAFC comfortably finished the rest of the match and even converted an amazing corner kick goal thanks to Jesús Murillo. Credit to Mateusz Bogusz for the assist.
The Black and Gold are now in a four-game win streak and have been undefeated in their last four MLS Cup Playoff games since the start of the 2022 postseason. Bouanga now has 35 goals across all competitions for LAFC, tying Josef Martinez for the single-year second-most goals in MLS history. A pure beast.
LAFC can seal the deal with another victory next Sunday on November 5 in the best-of-three series against the Whitecaps.
Watch More LAFC vs Vancouver Whitecaps Highlights:
LAFC vs Vancouver Whitecaps – 10/21/23
LAFC vs Vancouver Whitecaps – 6/24/23
LAFC vs Vancouver Whitecaps – 4/11/23
