Bouanga double as LAFC cruise over Vancouver in UCL

Three goals in 10 second-half minutes left the Major League Soccer champions firmly on course for the last four of the top regional club competition for teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

Once again it was France-born Gabon international striker Denis Bouanga who provided the attacking spark for Los Angeles after a dour first half.

Bouanga, who scored a hat-trick in LAFC's last-16 win over Costa Rica's Alajuelense last month, opened the scoring with a spectacular long-range strike on 61 minutes. Afforded time and space by the Whitecaps defence, Bouanga uncorked a ferocious 25-yard shot which flew up and over Vancouver goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka.

Los Angeles doubled their lead four minutes later after a defensive blunder by Andres Cubas. The Paraguay international was caught in possession by Bouanga as Vancouver attempted to play out from the back, and the loose ball fell into the path of Kwadwo Opoku, who made no mistake with a close-range finish.

The tie was effectively sealed four minutes later when Bouanga grabbed a brilliant second. The LAFC forward produced a sublime turn inside the area to lose the covering Vancouver defenders and blasted high into the top corner for 3-0.

The win leaves Los Angeles in a commanding position as they prepare to host Vancouver in California next Tuesday for the return leg. The winner of the tie will face either MLS side Philadelphia Union in the last four or Mexican club Atlas.

In Wednesday's other quarter-final game, Mexico's Tigres UANL claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory away against Motagua of Honduras. Colombian winger Luis Quinones scored the only goal in the 44th minute, volleying in from a corner.

 

April 6, 2023