MLS: Son and Bouanga combine again as LAFC eliminate Austin
Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga were the stars of the show again for Los Angeles FC as they thrashed Austin FC 4-1 in Game 2.
Los Angeles FC booked their spot in the Western Conference semi-finals of the MLS Cup playoffs with a stunning 4-1 win against Austin FC.
Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga were once again at the heart of things for LAFC, with the frontline duo assisting each other as they went 2-0 up in the space of four first-half minutes.
Austin were handed a lifeline when Bouanga was penalised for a handball in the box, but Myrto Uzuni’s spot-kick was saved by Hugo Lloris.
The hosts did win another penalty before the break, with Daniel Pereira this time converting from 12 yards out, although it came after Bouanga scored his second of the match.
And despite Austin’s best efforts, which saw a goal disallowed for offside, Jeremy Ebobisse completed the rout in the second minute of stoppage time for LAFC.
FC Cincinnati, meanwhile, failed to replicate LAFC’s achievement after they were thrashed 4-0 by the Columbus Crew in Game 2, forcing a decider in the playoff series.
Max Arfsten opened the scoring after 33 minutes with a composed finish before Yuya Kubo was sent off for Cincinnati after a last-man challenge on Andres Herrera.
Dylan Chambost continues to pile the pressure on Cincinnati in the first half with a brilliant free-kick, while Herrera and Jacen Russell-Rowe got on the scoresheet after the break.
Columbus head coach Wilfried Nancy stated before the match that he wanted to see personality from his side in a must-win game, and that is exactly what he got.
“We played with a lot of passion, and when we play like that, not only offensively, but defensively, the mindset, this is something that is difficult to cope [with],” said Nancy.
“Really pleased for the guys, because it was not an easy task playing Cincinnati. This is all the time difficult. And they know and we knew that it was a do or die, and to play with this kind of personality in a game like this - this is well done.”
Data Debrief: Century for Bouanga
Bouanga reached 100 goals for LAFC in all competitions with his first strike in their Game 2 win, while his season tally is now up to 26.
The Gabon international (10) has now moved ahead of the Seattle Sounders' Jordan Morris (nine) for most postseason goals by an active player.
Steve Cherundolo’s side are also the only team to reach the conference semi-finals in each of the last four seasons.
