LAFC defeats Sounders to seal Western Conference Final return

Los Angeles FC is headed back to the Western Conference Final thanks to another game-winning goal from their leading goalscorer.

Denis Bouanga scored the deciding goal in Sunday’s 1-0 semifinal victory over the Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field. Maxime Crepeau also shined for LAFC, making seven saves to preserve a clean sheet on the road.

Josh Atencio and Jordan Morris were both denied early by the Canadian shot-stopper as LAFC fought off early pressure from the hosts. Bouanga would give LAFC some breathing room shortly after after a clinical top-shelf finish.

Timothy Tillman’s pass allowed Bouanga to drill a right-footed shot into the top-right corner, giving LAFC a 1-0 lead. It was Bouanga’s fourth goal of the playoffs and his eighth-straight match in all competitions for club and country with at least one goal scored.

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The Sounders continued to create goalscoring chances, but Crepeau was up to the task in the second half. Alex Roldan and Joao Paulo’s long-range efforts were punched away by the 29-year-old Crepeau as LAFC continued to hang on.

Albert Rusnak was the final Sounder to have his scoring chance denied as Crepeau once again was up to the task. Sunday marked a memorable Man of the Match performance for Crepeau and a painful playoff exit for the Sounders on home soil.

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LAFC will next host the Houston Dynamo on Dec. 2 in the Western Conference Final, seeking a second-consecutive MLS Cup appearance.

Source link : https://sbisoccer.com/2023/11/lafc-defeats-sounders-to-seal-western-conference-final-return

Author : Larry Henry Jr

Publish date : 2023-11-27 11:51:52

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