LAFC extended its unbeaten run in the MLS regular season as it drew 2-2 against LA Galaxy on Sunday evening at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. In goals by Denis Bouanga and Nathan Ordaz, the team extended the streak to seven consecutive matches without loss, winning three and drawing four along the way. The team now holds 22 points, six behind the Western Conference leaders.
The game was the 25th meeting in El Tráfico rivalry across competitions. With an average of 4.3 goals per game, the game once more exhibited balance, scoring, and turning points. The draw left the overall series narrowly in Galaxy's favor, 10 to Galaxy, 9 to LAFC, and 6 draws.
Bouanga ties the rivalry and sets historic milestone for LAFC
LAFC began their comeback in the first half. They were behind after Marco Reus scored the opening goal in the 6th minute, but Denis Bouanga equalized the match in the 13th. He danced inside from the left wing, outmuscled his marker, and unleashed a long-range shot. The ball curved around the box and into the far corner of the net.
That goal had special meaning. Not only did it keep LAFC alive, it also tied Bouanga with Diego Rossi as the team's second all-time leading scorer in regular-season play. Bouanga has 69 goals in 83 games for the California side, the same amount as Rossi but in 21 fewer games. His per-game goal output is remarkable, and the numbers show just how deadly the striker has been.
Against LA Galaxy, Bouanga's record is even better. He's bagged eight goals in eight games against their arch-nemesis, including in all of the previous five matches between the two sides. It's a statistic that says much about his consistency in these high-pressure matches.
Ordaz gives LAFC the lead but Reus keeps Galaxy in it
LAFC scored in the 50th minute. Nathan Ordaz was passed to by Ryan Hollingshead inside the box and scored low to the left post, beating goalkeeper John McCarthy. It was his third regular-season goal and fifth overall across competitions.
Under pressure from LAFC, LA Galaxy produced an equalizer late in the match. Marco Reus scored a free kick on the edge of the box in the 87th minute. The ball went into the bottom right of Hugo Lloris' goal. It was Reus' second goal for the evening and just sufficient enough to prevent a home loss before the fans.
Reus had already opened the scoring in the 6th minute. The attack started with Gabriel Pec driving in from the right and firing a shot. Lloris blocked it, but the rebound was the first to reach Reus, as he scored with a knee-high shot.