The first attack for LAFC and Son gets ahead of the defender, who nearly takes him down in the box, but Son pushes through and sends a shot to the far post and the back of the net. Skill and calmness from Sonny, and LAFC is on the board in the 6th minute. Credit goes to Mark Delgado on the assist and finding Sonny sprinting down the field.
Usually after scoring a goal, the opposing team immediately begins to push it forward, but LAFC are maintaining complete control of the ball and are planting themselves on the Sporting KC side of the pitch. This isn’t usually a great strategy when you’re playing from behind, but seems like they are letting LAFC control possession to minimize any chance of a counter. That way KC can sit back and defend, hoping to minimize the damage to only one goal and go for it in the second half. I get the logic.
Through 25 minutes Sporting is holding it down, but multiple corners and continued pressure from LAFC might burst the pipe before halftime. Well, the pipe did burst 12 minutes later, thanks to Denis Bouanga. Who got a nice ball from Mathieu Choiniere and buries it to the back of the net on a breakaway. One-on-one against Bouanga, good luck to the goalie.
LA with a comfortable 2-0 lead as halftime approaches. The stars coming through again for LAFC in this first half. But, there was more for LAFC. Deep into extra time, David Martinez finds himself on a breakaway, crosses the last defender in the box and smoothly nails it past Stef Cleveland for a 3-0 LAFC lead.
This is a blowout going into the half. This big lead cushion allows some guys to be subbed out early and bring some young guys into the game. With the MLS All-Star game coming up in a few days, Sonny could use that rest in the second half.
Timothy Tillman comes off and Eddie Segura comes in at the start of the half. Tillman is still working his way back from injury, so this makes sense. In the first 15 minutes of the second half, LA still dominating possession. At this point it might not even be the strategic approach by KC, they appear to be severely overmatched by LAFC.
Jude Terry comes on for Mark Delgado in the 60th. Terry is a really promising player, so it’s good to see him getting some quality time in a game. Surprised to see Son and Bouanga still in the game.
Dejan Joveljic thought he finally got KC on the scoreboard when he found the ball and himself deep in the box and knocked the ball into the net, but offsides called immediately. Still 3-0 shutout for LAFC. Credit to Zorhan Bassong who got through multiple LA defenders and blasted one at the goal, but Hugo Lloris knocked it away. Fantastic instincts from Lloris.
It’s never enough for LAFC. Instead of shutting things down with the big lead they had, nope, Bouanga gets a cross from Tyler Boyd in the box and rifles a one-timer to the back of the net. Just absolute pure class from Bouanga. Makes it look so effortless.
Tremendous performance for LAFC, who are now on a four game winning streak, dating back to pre-World Cup break. This team is off to a scorching start after a long layoff. Most importantly the concerns about Son and Bouanga would now emit a laugh. They are on a mission and are the fuel behind this LAFC resurgence. This is the team that started out the season dominating in the first six games.
LAFC holds on to the shutout, 4-0 on the night. Another dominant performance and third game with at least three goals. The offense is cookin’. The defense only allowed 1 goal since the break and LA has outscored their three opponents 10-1. Wow.
Player of the Match:
Denis. Denis. Denis Bouanga with two goals and leading the charge. The man is in pure world class form.
Up Next:
LAFC will be back in action on Saturday, August 1, when the club travels north to take on the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place. That match is scheduled to kick off at 4:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast on Apple TV.