Ordaz, Bouanga lead LAFC past FC Dallas, 2-0, for second straight win

LOS ANGELES — LAFC capped off a perfect week with a 2-0 victory over FC Dallas on Saturday night at BMO Stadium, getting first-half goals from Nathan Ordaz and Denis Bouanga while recording its second consecutive shutout.

The win improves LAFC to 9-5-5 on the season, good for sixth place in the Western Conference with games in hand on every team above them. LAFC is now unbeaten in its last seven home matches against Dallas, winning six straight in the series since May 2019.

Ordaz opened the scoring in the 31st minute, finishing a swift counterattack with a low, right-footed shot past FC Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes for his second goal in as many games. Mark Delgado started the play by winning the ball in the attacking half and feeding Bouanga on the left wing, who set up Ordaz for the finish.

"To score two games in a row is always good for a forward," said Ordaz. "They're a real good team, they worked hard, and I think we just all worked harder. We capitalized on the mistakes...we're trying to start a streak and get first place in the league."

Bouanga doubled the lead just before halftime, earning and converting a penalty kick for his 10th goal of the season. After drawing a foul from Dallas defender Shaq Moore in the box, Bouanga fired his shot past the diving Paes to give LAFC a 2-0 advantage heading into the break.

LAFC outshot FC Dallas 10-1 on target, forcing Paes into eight second-half saves to keep the scoreline close. LAFC captain Aaron Long left the match in the 76th minute with an apparent injury, but the defense held firm to secure the club's ninth home shutout of the season.

Head coach Steve Cherundolo did not have any updates on the status of Long following the match, but did not appear optimistic about the injury.

"It obviously didn't look good, so that's a big blow," he said. "But injuries are a part of professional sports and Aaron will get through this and so will we."

Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made one save to register his seventh clean sheet of the MLS campaign and 50th league appearance for LAFC.

Bouanga and Delgado each picked up an assist on Ordaz’s goal. Bouanga leads LAFC with seven assists this season, followed by Delgado with six.

Bouanga’s 10th goal marks his third straight season with double-digit scoring for LAFC, joining Diego Rossi and Carlos Vela as the only players in club history to accomplish that feat. Bouanga now has 84 goals in all competitions for LAFC, nine shy of Vela's all-time club record of 93.

With the win, LAFC improved to 12-2-1 at home in all competitions this season and has not allowed a goal in its last 250 minutes of play dating back to June 29.

LAFC returns to action Wednesday, July 16, visiting second-place Minnesota United at Allianz Field. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. PT.