LAFC controls Vancouver, wins Game 1 in MLS playoffs opening round – Daily News

LAFC controls Vancouver, wins Game 1 in MLS playoffs opening round – Daily News

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Los Angeles FC midfielder Mateusz Bogusz controls the ball up the pitch against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of Game 1 of the MLS Cup Playoffs Round One at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

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LOS ANGELES — For the Los Angeles Football Club, Game 1 of the best-of-3 opening round of the MLS Cup playoffs versus the Vancouver Whitecaps was not a 5-0 shellacking like last year — but it felt like one.

Sunday’s 2-1 victory at BMO Stadium gave the top seed in the Western Conference an early edge in the series as it heads to British Columbia next weekend seeking a sweep of the Whitecaps for the second straight year.

Goals by Denis Bouanga and Cristian Olivera carried LAFC, which conceded in the 95th minute when Vancouver’s Ryan Gauld pounced on a loose ball in the box.

Because each match in the series stands on its own, the scoreline won’t matter beyond the winner, making the format a unique aspect of MLS competition compared to the rest of the soccer playing world.

Whether it’s regular season play, CONCACAF Champions League, Leagues Cup or the MLS postseason, Bouanga’s torrid scoring record versus the Whitecaps continues.

After a video review confirmed that former LAFC defender Tristan Blackmon deflected a shot inside the box with his arm, Bouanga stepped up to the penalty spot and sent Vancouver goalkeeper Yohei Takoaka the wrong way, giving the French winger 28 goals in all competitions this year. It was his 66th goal in 93 appearances since the start of 2023.

The go-ahead strike from the spot was Bouanga’s fourth finish against Vancouver in three MLS Cup playoff meetings, and his eighth in nine matches between the two teams over the past two seasons.

Coming off a 5-0 win at Portland in the Wild Card round, the visitors missed a chance to jump ahead in the seventh minute when Scottish international Stuart Armstrong, a Designated Player signed in September, slipped a pass behind the defense that Whitecaps leading scorer Brian White pounded off the far post.

Gauld, whose stoppage-time score came days after tallying three goals and an assist in Portland, also struck the top corner on a free kick late in the first half. Otherwise, he was largely held in check until the stoppage time contribution.

“When you play a game like this and things don’t go in your direction for centimeters with the post and the bar, it’s going to be extremely hard to beat [LAFC],” said Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini. “So that’s the reality. We just know that we can play like them and be competing with them toe to toe. We just need to be a little more — I don’t want to say lucky because it seems I’m hiding behind luck — we have to be a little bit more precise and be able to exploit our chances.

“A lot of teams fall on the wrong side of the fine line against LAFC.”

Holding White shotless following his initial attempt had the effect of limiting Gauld because Vancouver could not manage to deliver the ball to him.

The one-goal margin felt comfortable, and when Cristian Olivera roofed a missile from the right side of the box in the 57th minute the lead seemed insurmountable.

“Our second goal was really well played,” Cherundolo said. “I thought it was fun to watch — exactly how we draw it up on the board.”

The sequence began at midfield, where Bouanga progressed the ball forward before it was relayed from Ryan Hollingshead to Mateusz Bogusz. The Polish attacker rolled a simple pass into the box for Olivera, who trailed the play from his wingback position and once again delivered dangerous moments along the right flank.

“He’s an incredible athlete,” Cherundolo said following the 22-year-old Uruguayan’s first playoff goal. “Great mentality and a hard worker, too.

“The idea is the more you can attack on that side of the field, the less you have to defend.”

Olivera’s offensive output relies on his relentless pace, and that didn’t falter despite the added responsibility of tracking back to the defensive end of the field. Playing behind the attackers has given Olivera more space to operate, which he said allows him take on defenders 1v1.

“I think with this new role that Steve has given me it’s because he sees I can contribute and make a difference there,” Olivera said.

Sensing that Vancouver was resigned to return to Canada down a game, Cherundolo went to his deep bench several times in the last half hour.

Striker Kei Kamara replaced Olivier Giroud in the 65th minute, making the 40-year-old center forward the third oldest outfield player to appear in an MLS playoff match behind Carlos Valderrama and Preki.

And to the great delight of the announced crowd of 22,298 in the 85th minute, Cherundolo introduced Carlos Vela, whose name reverberated inside the stadium while he warmed up near the supporters’ section in the north end.

“Moments like that are why we fill stadiums and enjoy professional sports,” Cherundolo said. “There’s always a personal side, an emotional side to this. Carlos has been an amazing figure for the club. Amazing player. And he’s also very well liked in the locker room, as you can see around the guys.”

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