MIAMI, Florida – 2023 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League finalists Los Angeles FC rebounded from their first defeat of the 2023 Major League Soccer season last week with a commanding 3-0 victory at Real Salt Lake on Saturday night.
LAFC had suffered a 2-1 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, May 6, but then eliminated Monterey Bay FC in the U.S. Open Cup this past Wednesday in a penalty shootout (5-4) following a 2-2 draw between the teams.
That momentum carried into Saturday’s visit to Utah and LAFC were quick out of the gates thanks to a Kwadwo Opoku goal in the 8’ for a 1-0 lead.
MF Ilie Sanchez hoofed a long ball over the top of the defense and it hit Opoku in stride, allowing the Ghanaian to score his fourth goal in all competitions this season with a left-footed finish.
Later in the half 2023 leading scorer Denis Bouanga (6 goals) took center stage with a spectacular left-footed laser that went screaming into the top right corner of net in the 34’ for his ninth MLS goal of the season.
Fellow attacker Carlos Vela played a short pass to Bouanga, who took a touch and unleashed the stunner to double the LAFC lead to 2-0.
LAFC remained in control throughout the second half and put the three points on ice in the 87’ from the penalty spot.
Bouanga was pushed from behind in the Real Salt Lake penalty area, resulting in a spot kick and Mateusz Bogusz calmly converted to complete the 3-0 scoreline.
