LAFC earned a 2-1 win over their cross-city rivals, the LA Galaxy, on Saturday evening at BMO Stadium. Timothy Tillman and Denis Bouanga each scored first-half goals for LAFC, who are now 3-0-1 at home this season and extended their regular-season unbeaten run against the Galaxy at home to five, dating back to the 2020 season.
With the win, LAFC is now 3-3-1 on the season for 10 points, leaving the club in fifth place in the Western Conference and three points behind first-place Vancouver.
For the third consecutive game, LAFC was able to take the lead inside the opening ten minutes as Timothy Tillman struck first for the home side. LAFC captain Ilie Sánchez flicked on a Mateusz Bogusz corner kick, and Tillman was able to poke the ball home at the far post to make the score 1-0.
The Galaxy equalized in the 29th minute through Julian Aude, but LAFC was able to retake their lead just six minutes later. Denis Bouanga was pulled down inside the penalty area by the Galaxy’s Miki Yamane, and the Gabon international was able dispatch the resulting penalty kick to give the home side a 2-1 lead heading into halftime.
After the break, LAFC would have the better of the chances but were unable to add onto their one-goal advantage. However, the LAFC defense only allowed a single shot on target in the second half and blocked six shots in the final 20 minutes to seal the victory.
LAFC is back in action on Saturday, April 13 when the club travels north to take on the Portland Timbers. That game, which kicks off at 1:30 p.m. PT, can be seen live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and on 710 AM ESPN LA and 980 AM La Mera Mera.
NEWS & NOTES
- LAFC is now 4-1-3 all-time at home against the Galaxy in the MLS regular season and unbeaten in the last five meetings between the two sides at home, going 4-0-1 in that time.
- LAFC have scored in four of their seven games this season. Timothy Tillman has scored or assisted on the opening goal in each of those contests.
- Tillman now has three goals and an assist in seven games this season. He finished 2023 with four goals and one assist in 25 regular season games.
- Ilie Sánchez and Mateusz Bogusz were each credited with assists on Tillman’s goal. It was the first assist of the season for each player.
- Ten different players have an assist for LAFC this season.
- Denis Bouanga is tied with Tillman for the team lead with three goals. All three of his goals have come at home this season, having also scored twice in the 5-0 win over Nashville SC on March 23.
- Since joining LAFC in 2022, Bouanga is now 5-for-5 from the penalty spot in the MLS regular season.
- Late in the second half, defender Maxime Chanot came on for his LAFC debut, replacing Eduard Atuesta.
- Kei Kamara came on for Cristian Olivera in the 89th minute to make his LAFC home bow one week after debuting for the Club in Colorado.
