Los Angeles FC v Toronto FC: Cherundolo prepared to struggle without Bouanga

Los Angeles FC head coach Steve Cherundolo conceded that his side are likely to struggle without top scorer Denis Bouanga for their next two MLS fixtures.

Bouanga has been called up by Gabon during the international break, meaning he will miss LAFC's upcoming clashes with Toronto FC and Austin FC.

The 30-year-old scored his 24th goal of the season against Atlanta United last time out to tie Inter Miami's Lionel Messi at the top of the race for the MLS Golden Boot.

It is the second campaign in MLS history that multiple players have scored 24 or more goals in a single regular season, after Carlos Vela, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Josef Martinez in 2019.

"There is a struggle there and I completely get it," Cherundolo said. "Denis wants the best for LAFC. Denis wants the best for Gabon. And Denis wants the best for Denis.

"And I'm pretty sure it's in that order. So there is a conflict of interest and I think the way I've gotten to know him is he will try to accomplish all of that."

Cherundolo and LAFC will also be without Son Heung-min, who has been in fine form lately, as well as Mathieu Choiniere, Nathan Ordaz, and Adrian Wibowo.

LAFC find themselves fourth in the Western Conference with three games of their campaign remaining, and Cherundolo is aiming to finish as high as possible in the division.

"This week was excellent again in training," Cherundolo added. "I can see the communication amongst the players, that they feel like this is an opportunity.

"We're in a very good moment to maximise points and that's what we're trying to do. But it is important not to get ahead of yourself and just focus on the next game."

Toronto, meanwhile, left it late to snatch a point away to the Chicago Fire last time out, with Djordje Mihailovic striking in the 10th minute of injury time at Soldier Field.

Jack Elliott thought he had snatched the win late on, having already scored an own-goal and one at the right end for an unusual hat-trick, but the Fire were unable to hold on.

It was perhaps a game Toronto warranted more from, having registered an expected goals (xG) total of 1.2 to Chicago's 0.75, but Robin Fraser was thrilled with his team's effort.

"The effort was fantastic," Fraser said. "In the first half I thought we were very good and solid defensively. We created a couple of good opportunities and obviously got the goal.

"In the second half, I didn't react to their adjustment quickly enough and it led to a pretty chaotic period, but I have to give so much credit to the team.

"They fought. I talk about it every week how this team fights. It felt like the field was tilted but they hung in there and fought and that is all I can ask for."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

LAFC – Mark Delgado

With both Son and Bouanga away on international duty, the emphasis will fall on Delgado to provide an attacking spark in the final third for LAFC.

He has six league goal involvements (three goals, three assists) this season, while his 35 chances created are a total only bettered by the absent Bouanga (45) for LAFC.

Toronto – Djordje Mihailovic

Mihailovic scored the equalising goal for Toronto at Chicago on Saturday in the 10th minute of stoppage time, the latest goal the team has ever scored.

Toronto have also come from behind in six of the eight draws during their recent streak, but will be hoping they don’t need to rely on their powers of recovery this time around.

MATCH PREDICTION: LAFC WIN

LAFC will meet Toronto for the first time in over six years, since a 1-1 draw between the sides at BMO Stadium in September 2019. The other meeting between the sides was a 4-2 road win for the Black and Gold in September 2018.

Cherundolo's side have won five straight matches following their victory over Atlanta. This is LAFC's fifth winning streak of five or more matches in regular-season play and their third since the start of the 2024 season.

Toronto, however, are in search of an elusive league win. They extended their MLS record with their eighth consecutive draw last time, with the Reds having not won or lost a match since July. Fraser's team are also now one draw away from equalling the club's single-season record of 15 set in 2011.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

LAFC – 69.2%

Draw – 17.3%

Toronto – 13.6%