A different role developed for Denis Bouanga on Saturday night.
For one-and-half seasons, LAFC has relied on Bouanga win games by scoring goals, but on Saturday night against the Vancouver Whitecaps, Bouanga was a threat in a different role; playmaker. Bouanga assisted on all of LAFC’s goals, and his performance was key in LAFC’s 3-0 win over Vancouver at BMO Stadium.
“It was a professional win” Bouanga said. “I thought we came out strong and set the tempo. Two good goals in the first half and we’ve had good first halves here this year, both home and away and our second halves have not been up to standard. Today it was very good, we saw the game out and we got the third goal. So, very good. Very professional win.”
Cristian Olivera was the main beneficiary of Bouanga’s role reversal on Saturday night, as he scored two first half goals. The win enabled LAFC (5-4-3, 18 points) to keep pace in a quickly developing Western Conference race, as they are tied on points with the Whitecaps for fourth place in the West.
“I feel like this all because of the team, the sacrifice and the mentality we have,” Olivera said. “As far as Denis, we have a good understanding of one another. He sets me up and I set him up as well.”
Olivera got LAFC on the board in the 18th minute. Bouanga crossed from the left side into the penalty area, the ball skipped past keeper Yohei Takaoka and Olivera touched the ball into the back net to open the scoring for LAFC. Olivera got his brace in the 36th minute, as Bouanga dribbled down the left side, juked Mathias Laborda, sent a short cross into the six-yard box and Olivera tapped the ball into an open net to double the LAFC advantage.
LAFC took the lead into the locker room, then tripled the lead in the 56th minute. Bounaga led an LAFC counter, Bouanga dribbled down the left side all the way into the penalty area, sent a cross into the six-yard box and Bogusz one-timed a shot into the back net for LAFC’s third goal that all but sealed the three points.
