Denis Bouanga scores again, but LAFC limited to draw after waved-off goal
Denis Bouanga scored his league-leading 10th goal of the season, but Johnny Russell answered to help Sporting Kansas City earn a 1-1 draw with LAFC on Wednesday night.
Bouanga used assists from Kwadwo Opoku and Sergi Palencia to score in the 13th minute and give LAFC (6-1-4) an early lead.
Russell answered seven minutes later for Sporting KC (2-7-4) to knot the score. Russell’s second goal of the season came with assists from Rémi Walter and Alan Pulido.
LAFC signed international player Denis Bouanga last year when no one seemed interested in French players, but he has shown his importance to the team’s success.
Ryan Hollingshead had a goal waved off in the 85th minute that would have given LAFC the lead.
Kendall McIntosh finished with six saves for Sporting KC in his first start of the season. Eldin Jakupovic had two saves in his second start for LAFC.
Sporting KC ended a three-match losing streak against LAFC, which leads the series 5-4-1. LAFC has scored 16 goals in its five wins, but just five goals in the other five matches.
LAFC missed a chance to join the 2001-02 San Jose Earthquakes as the only teams to post 14 wins in a span of 15 regular-season matches at home.
Gun violence and mass shootings could prevent many overseas fans from attending games in the United States during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Bouanga has piled up seven goals and two assists in five home matches this season in league play.
Sporting KC has scored six goals in its last three matches, going 2-0-1, after going winless and totaling just three goals through the first 10 this season.
LAFC will host the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday. Sporting KC travels to play St. Louis City on Saturday.
