MLS: Denis Bouanga rescues Los Angeles FC with a golazo against Portland

29.08.26 19:30 MLS USA

DC United

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Los Angeles FC

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Denis Bouanga once again delivered for Los Angeles FC. With his team trailing 1-0 to the Portland Timbers, the Gabonese forward leveled the score in the 79th minute with a stunning curling strike from outside the box, allowing LAFC to avoid a third consecutive defeat in MLS.

Bouanga took advantage of a pocket of space at the edge of the area to take matters into his own hands. After recovering the ball on the left flank, he cut inside before unleashing a right-footed shot that left Portland goalkeeper James Pantemis with no chance. His goal was a just reward for LAFC’s dominance, as they finished the match with 34 shots to just nine for the Timbers.

"I saw the space," Bouanga explained after the match. "Usually, there isn’t any room, but this time I saw one and told myself I was going for it alone."

Despite this clear dominance, LAFC couldn’t find a second goal and had to settle for a share of the points.

A statistically impressive night

The Gabonese striker put in an especially active performance. He fired off 12 shots—a personal best in a single match—with six on target, and repeatedly threatened the opposition box. This goal marks his 11th in the MLS regular season, while his overall tally across all competitions now stands at 18 goals and four assists in 31 matches, according to the provided data.

His strike was also LAFC’s 10th goal from outside the box this MLS season, putting the Los Angeles club back atop this statistical category. Bouanga is now closing in on the club’s single-season scoring record: with this latest goal, he sits just two behind Carlos Vela, LAFC’s all-time top scorer in the competition with 78 goals.

LAFC remain third in the West

This draw brings an end to LAFC’s run of two straight defeats in MLS. With 35 points, the team stays third in the Western Conference, five points behind Vancouver.

This latest performance further cements his importance in the Californian setup. Even in a season where his shots-on-target numbers are lower than in previous campaigns, the Gabonese striker remains one of LAFC’s main attacking threats.

"My mentality is that if I lose a battle, I’ll go back again and again," he explained after the match.

Nouya M'toama

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Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.

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