LAFC Players Go International

While waiting for LAFC’s Western Conference Semifinal match against the Seattle Sounders on November 26, fans of the Black & Gold can still watch LAFC players in action.

FIFA’s mid-November International Window sees six LAFC players compete for their home countries in various competitions across four continents:

1. Dénis Bouanga – Gabon
2. Maxime Crepèau - Canada
3. Filip Krastev – Bulgaria 
4. Cristian Olivera – Uruguay
5. Denil Maldonado – Honduras
6. Stipe Biuk – Croatia U21

Thursday, November 16

Gabon 2, Kenya 1

Dénis Bouanga
2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying – CAF Group Stage
Stade de Franceville - Franceville, Gabon

LAFC forward and 2023 MLS Golden Boot winner Dénis Bouanga started and played all 90 minutes for Gabon on November 16 vs. Kenya in the first of two World Cup Qualifying matches in Africa this month. Bouanga picked up for Gabon where he left off with LAFC – finding the back of the net -- as he evened the score at 1-1- with a goal in the 60th minute after Kenya took the lead in the first half. Guelor Kanga would score for Gabon in the 88th minute to give the “Panthers” an upset victory in their first qualifying match as they attempt to punch a ticket to their first-ever World Cup.

Bouanga and Gabon are back in action on Sunday, November 19 against Burundi at 5:00 a.m. PT.

Bulgaria 2, Hungary 2

Filip Krastev
UEFA European Championship Qualifying
Vasil Levski National Stadium - Sofia, Bulgaria

LAFC attacker Filip Krastev started and played all 90 minutes for Bulgaria in their hard-fought draw with Hungary. It was Krastev’s 12th appearance at the senior level, and this was a match he will not soon forget, as Bulgaria tied the game at 1-1 in the 24th minute after allowing an early goal. Both teams finished the match with 10 men due to red cards, and after Bulgaria netted what appeared to be the game-winner in the 78th minute, Hungary salvaged a point by scoring on an own goal in the 97th minute, which allowed them to qualify for the Euros. The match was played in an empty stadium due to Bulgarian fan protests and Bulgarian supporters and police clashed outside of the stadium before kick-off.

Krastev and Bulgaria will play a second match on Sunday, November 19, at 6:00 a.m. PT, versus Serbia.

Uruguay 2, Argentina 0

Cristian Olivera
2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying
La Bombonera - Buenos Aires, Argentina

LAFC winger Cristian Olivera was on the bench for Uruguay as they pulled off an incredible 2-0 win over Argentina and Lionel Messi in Buenos Aires. The loss snapped a 14-game winning streak for Argentina and ruined the celebration of Messi’s eighth Ballon d’Or trophy.

Olivera and Uruguay will now face Bolivia on Tuesday, November 21 at 3:30 pm Pacific.

Friday, November 17

Canada 2, Jamaica 1

Canada defeated Jamaica 2-1 Saturday morning in a game that was rescheduled due to heavy rain in Kingston, Jamaica. LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau did not appear for Canada. The two sides meet again at BMO Field in Toronto on Tuesday, November 21, with a semifinal berth on the line, as well as Copa America 2024 qualification.

Honduras 2, Mexico 0

CONCACAF Nations League - 6:00 PM PT
Watch: Paramount+, TUDN, fuboTV

LAFC defender Denil Maldonado started and played the entire 90 minutes of Honduras’ 2-0 shutout of CONCACAF giants Mexico in Tegucigalpa, Honduras (Maldonado’s hometown). The match, the first leg of the Nations League quarterfinal, sets up a second-leg showdown in Mexico on Tuesday, November 21, at 6:30 pm PT.

Sunday, November 19

Gabon 2, Burundi 1

Dénis Bouanga
2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying
Mkapa National Stadium - Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

LAFC forward Dénis Bouanga scored a second-half goal for Gabon in the Panthers’ 2-1 victory over Burundi in the group stage of African qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Gabon was ahead 1-0 when Bouanga found himself at midfield with the ball at his feet and Burundi’s keeper out of position. He calmly passed the ball into the net from 45 yards out. The game completed Bouanga’s service to his home country during this international break. Gabon won both of its games; Bouanga scored in both.

Bulgaria 2, Serbia 2

Filip Krastev
UEFA European Championship Qualifying
Gradski Stadion Dubocica - Leskovac, Serbia

LAFC midfielder Filip Krastev played 77 minutes and recorded an assist in Bulgaria’s 2-2 draw against heavily favored Serbia in a Euro 2024 qualifier. Krastev’s participation with Bulgaria during this international window is complete.

Monday, November 20

Croatia 1, Belarus 0 (U21)

Stipe Biuk
UEFA Euro U21 Championship Qualifying
Armaviri Hakob Tonoyani Stadium - Armavir, Armenia

LAFC forward Stipe Biuk completed his service to Croatia’s national team during this window by starting and playing 66 minutes in its 1-0 victory over Belarus in UEFA U21 Euro qualifying. The victory leaves Croatia as the only unbeaten team in its six-team pool, following Portugal’s loss to Greece on Monday.

Tuesday, November 21

Uruguay 3, Bolivia 0

Cristian Olivera
2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying
Estadio Centenario - Montevideo, Uruguay

LAFC winger Cristian Olivera started and played 87 minutes of Uruguay’s 3-0 win over Bolivia in 2026 World Cup qualifying. Olivera fired two shots on goal and later made a deep attacking run that created space for striker Darwin Nuñez to score Uruguay’s third goal.

Mexico 2, Honduras 0 (MEX advances on penalties, 4-2)

Denil Maldonado
CONCACAF Nations League
Estadio Azteca - Mexico City, Mexico

LAFC defender Denil Maldonado started and played all 90 minutes, plus 25 minutes of stoppage time, in Honduras’ 2-0 loss to Mexico. The match continued into stoppage time because the two teams were tied 2-2 on aggregate at full-time (due to Honduras’ 2-0 win in the first leg). Mexico later advanced on penalty kicks (4-2) and will play in the Nations League semifinal as well as Copa America 2024. Maldonado was shown a red card in the 25th minute of stoppage time.

Sources: livesoccertv.com, FIFA+