Denis Bouanga found the back of the net twice as Los Angeles FC claimed bragging rights with a 4-2 derby win over Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The Gabon international has been the go-to player for goals for LAFC this season and he lit up the BMO Stadium when he opened the scoring in the 24th minute, heading in Diego Palacios’ cross.
Palacios –> Bouanga#LAFC take the lead. pic.twitter.com/8Z2lqTtdEt
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 17, 2023
LA Galaxy equalised via Billy Sharp almost immediately but LAFC were back ahead in the 33rd minute courtesy of Ryan Hollingshead’s low shot from outside the box.
Former Southampton defender Maya Yoshida leveled it for the Galaxy in the 59th minute to make it 2-2 but Bouanga sprung up with 15 minutes to go, profiting off a Galaxy defensive error for his 14th MLS goal of the season which is the joint highest with Nashville SC’s Hany Mukhtar and Atlanta United’s Georgios Giakoumakis.
Denis Bouanga pounces on the mistake to get his brace. ???? pic.twitter.com/DgurxsNIJ3
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 17, 2023
Substitute Timothy Tillman completed the scoring in the 84th minute to hand LAFC their sixth win in 21 meetings with the Galaxy which dates back to 2018 when they were a new MLS expansion team.
LAFC remain second in the Western Conference standings, six points leaders St. Louis City while the Galaxy are second from bottom in the standings.
