Dénis Bouanga leads LAFC into Leagues Cup semifinal

Bonjour, Monsieur Leagues Cup.

In the short history of the joint venture between Major League Soccer and Liga MX, no player from either league has been more impactful than Los Angeles Football Club winger Dénis Bouanga.

Through eight Leagues Cup games, the 29-year-old French attacker ranks as the competition’s top scorer and contributor, netting 11 goals to go with six assists and delivering at least one or the other in each contest so far.

Bouanga’s next chance comes Wednesday night with a CONCACAF Champions Cup spot and a trip to the Leagues Cup final on the line against the Colorado Rapids.

The dynamic scorer’s impressive play manifested yet again Saturday during LAFC’s triumph at Seattle, when a second assist in three games from goalkeeper Hugo Lloris allowed Bouanga to surpass Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi as the Leagues Cup’s all-time leading goal scorer.

Playing games in quick succession might wear down other players, but the tournament schedule has emboldened Bouanga, whose relentless speed and power have tormented opponents since he joined MLS during LAFC’s Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup-winning season in 2022.

“He’s a complete attacker,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said. “He has a goal scorer’s mentality, which means he doesn’t stop until he scores. He keeps going and going and going and that wears defenders down.”

Offsetting Carlos Vela’s free-agent absence after the Mexican served as the face of the franchise and leading playmaker for six years, Bouanga’s value has been even more pronounced in 2024.

Of LAFC’s 71 total goals this year, Bouanga has played a part in almost half (21 goals, 14 assists), helping the team to a 21-5-6 record in all competitions.

Last year’s MLS Golden Boot winner is vying for the same honor in the current Leagues Cup. His five goals are tied with the Philadelphia Union’s Tai Baribo for the most in the tournament.

Playing with Bouanga, winger Cristian Olivera also has four goals.

“I just want our team to win,” Bouanga said. “I hope one of us will be the Golden Boot winner. It’s teamwork for both of us.”

On the other side of the bracket, Baribo’s Union visits the Columbus Crew for the right to host the Leagues Cup final or the third-place match.

LAFC’s route to this stage has seen its make the most of its chances with a tournament-best 14 goals and 11 assists.

Prior to beating Seattle 3-0, when LAFC put seven of its 10 shots on target, each of its four tournament games was played at BMO Stadium, where the club has lost just once in 20 games this year.

The Rapids are too familiar with the travails of playing at BMO Stadium.

Since joining MLS in 2018, LAFC has cleaned Colorado’s clock at home, winning each of the six contests in front of their supporters by a combined score of 18-2, including a shutout victory at the end of June that featured Mateusz Bogusz’s first career hat trick.

If LAFC lives up to previous performances, it will reach a fifth final alongside the MLS Cup victory in 2022 before bitter conclusions in last year’s Champions League, Campeones Cup and second straight MLS title game appearance.

“The scenario, a home game in the semifinals against a team we know, is something I couldn’t ask for more,” Cherundolo said. “I also think it’s important we have the right mentality from minute one [on Wednesday] to not let this opportunity slip away and to take advantage of it.”

Despite a minus-two goal differential through five Leagues Cup games, starting with a 4-0 loss to Portland in the group stage, the Rapids advanced to the all-MLS final four by upsetting Club América on penalty kicks last weekend at Dignity Healthy Sports Park.

“We certainly have enjoyed the trip,” said Colorado head coach Chris Armas, whose group has served as a Cinderella story throughout the tournament. “We packed our bags for the long one and it’s been good.”

Charged with confidence in the wake of knockout wins against three highly touted Mexican teams, Cherundolo dismissed the notion that LAFC is a clear favorite to beat the Rapids.

Primed and ready, Bouanga agreed with his coach.

“It won’t be the same game as last time,” he said. “They must have that feeling of revenge against us. It’s the final before the final. It’s going to be a difficult game.”

COLORADO RAPIDS AT LAFC

When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Where: BMO Stadium

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