LAFC continues to grind on in 2023.
With a vital first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League against the Philadelphia Union approaching on Wednesday, LAFC once again had to juggle its lineup prior to Saturday’s match against Nashville SC to conserve bodies. Carlos Vela, Kellyn Acosta and Kwadao Opoku started Saturday’s match on the bench and all three players came on in the second half, and all on the same rotation.
Despite players going in and out of the lineup, one thing that looks to be a constant for LAFC this season; Denis Bouanga scoring goals. Bouanga added another goal to his impressive start, as his second half strike canceled out Hany Mukhtar’s first half goal, and LAFC leaves Music City with the 1-1 draw.
“It was a hard fought match, a good point on the road,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said. “It’s always difficult in Nashville to even score a goal, but to take away something is a good performance.”
The goal is Bouanga’s 12th goal in all competitions for LAFC and seventh in MLS play. The goal and the ensuing result keeps LAFC (5-0-3, 18 points) undefeated in MLS play this season.
Trailing by a goal Stipe Biuk ignited LAFC in the 59th minute, as he pressured Alex Muyl and Bouanga got the ball and took off. Bounaga dribbled forward, then fired a one-timer from about 25 yards out that beat keeper Joe Willis near post to level the match.
LAFC kept the pressure on throughout the second half, getting first chance to win the game in the 65th minute, as Opoku back-heeled a ball into the penalty area to Mateusz Bogusz, who took the ball to the end line, then played a ball to Biuk, who was wide open inside the penalty area, but Biuk could only pull the shot over the framework. LAFC’s best chance of leaving Tennessee with three points came in the 86th minute, as Acosta sent a corner kick into the penalty area, Jose Cifuentes headed a ball for the far post, but it instead hit said post.
“It was a great second half for the team,” LAFC’s Erik Duenas said. “We came out strong (and) had a lot of opportunities.”
Nashville grabbed the lead in the 35th minute. Fafa Picault received a ball from Daniel Lovitz and crossed into the penalty area, LAFC’s Diego Palacios cut off the cross, but the ball found the feet of Teal Bunbury, who then sent a ball into the six-yard box the ball deflected off two LAFC defenders inside the box of before Mukhtar swooped in and sent the loose ball into the back net.
LAFC now makes the trip to the City of Brotherly Love, though no love is expected to be shown to them on Wednesday night, as they will face the Philadelphia Union for the first time since last year’s epic MLS Cup final.
