Source: ESPN Soccer
Son, Bouanga set up LAFC playoff meeting with Muller’s WhitecapsByAssociated PressUpdated: Nov 3, 2025, 04:37 amFacebookFacebook MessengerTwitterEmailDenis Bouangahad two goals and an assist on Sunday night to helpLAFCbeatAustin FC4-1 and sweep the best-of-three series in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs.LAFC, which won Game 1 2-1, plays at second-seeded Vancouver in the one-game Western Conference semifinals.Son Heung-Minadded a goal and an assist for No. 3 seed LAFC.Jeremy Ebobissereplaced Son in the 88th minute and capped the scoring in the third minute of stoppage time.Son, on the counter-attack, hesitated to freeze defenderIlie Sánchezat the top of the area and then exploded toward the left end line and blasted a shot from the corner of the 6-yard box inside the back post to open the scoring in the 21st. About four minutes later, Son fed Bouanga for a finish – the 30-year-old’s 100th goal across all competitions for LAFC — into a wide-open net to make it 2-0.Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-Min have formed a formidable partnership in Los Angeles.Daniel Jefferson/Getty ImagesBouanga cut inside to evade defenderBrendan Hines-Ike– who fell to the ground — and then flicked a shot into the net from the left center of the area in the 44th minute.Bouanga is the only active player — and is one of just nine in history — with at least 10 career goals in the MLS Cup playoffs.LAFC’sHugo Lloris– who was second inMLSwith 12 shutouts in the regular season — had three saves, including a diving stop on a penalty kick byMyrto Uzuniin the 39th minute after a hand ball in the area by Bouanga.Ryan Porteouswas shown a yellow card for a foul in the area andDani Pereiraconverted from the spot in the sixth minute of stoppage time to make it 3-1 at halftime.CJ Fodreyappeared to have cut sixth-seeded Austin’s deficit to 3-2 in the 71st minute but an offsides call nullified the would-be goal.
Published: 2025-11-03T14:26:31
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