LAFC earn second straight win over Real Salt Lake as Bouanga makes more history

LOS ANGELES -- Looking for back-to-back victories over Real Salt Lake and a six-point week, LAFC came out on top, 4-1, at BMO Stadium on Sunday evening. The Black and Gold improved to 14-8-7, now riding a three-game winning streak.

While the club celebrated "Noche de Carlos Vela", honoring the LAFC legend with a pregame ceremony, it was Denis Bouanga who stole the show. After surpassing Vela for the most scores in club history as Los Angeles earned a 4-1 victory in Salt Lake on Wednesday, he reached another incredible MLS milestone Sunday en route to yet another hat trick.

LAFC became the first team in league history to have a player record a hat trick in three straight games. One thing has become clear: the Son-Bouanga tandem is going to cause serious issues for opposing defenses throughout the rest of 2025 and into the playoffs.

"The only thing we accomplished was three points," said head Coach Steve Cherundol following the match. "Denis is an incredible attacker...this team is locked in and focused to maximize our potential. We feel very good about ourselves at the moment."

The 30-year-old became the first player in MLS history to collect 20 regular-season goals in three consecutive seasons. It was his 46' goal that did the trick, helping LAFC get even at one following a mostly uninspiring opening 45 minutes.

Bouanga's score was not the only one of stoppage time, however, as Son Heung-min got in on the action with his first BMO Stadium goal. It was a 48' rocket from beyond the box that somehow snuck into the bottom left corner of the net past the reach of Salt Lake goalkeeper Rafael.

Son, who picked up the assist on Bouanga's goal, has now found the net in three consecutive matches. He has five goals in that span and six overall with LAFC, leaving no doubts over his transition to MLS.

"When you score a goal in a packed stadium, it's very special," said Son. "I'm glad that in my second home game I scored and also won."

After a stagnant first few minutes from both sides to open the second half, Bouanga got right back to work, providing a much-needed insurance score to pad the Los Angeles advantage. A beautiful display of team football saw him get loose on a 73rd-minute breakaway, effortlessly chipping one over Rafael to make it 3-1.

Just when the 3252 thought that their evening couldn't get any better, it did. Bouanga gave the crowd one last moment to erupt over, breaking free and using a feed from Jeremy Ebobisse to complete his hat trick.

It's the second three-score game for the French-Gabonian in LAFC's last three matches, bringing his season total to 22. Bouanga is now even with none other than Lionel Messi himself for the most goals in MLS.

"I feel very good right now," said Bouanga. "We continue down a very good path, and I try to be decisive in every game, which could be scoring a goal or passing it."

Defending the net for Los Angeles, Hugo Lloris did a nice job rebounding from an early Salt Lake score. Brayan Vera had helped the road side create a 1-0 lead early with a strong strike that left Lloris' diving attempt looking helpless.

The rest of the way, Salt Lake was rendered ineffective as Lloris tallied three saves total. Across the two matches against RSL, he conceded only two scores.

With another highlight victory in the books, LAFC will return to action on Saturday as they hit the road again to face St. Louis City. At 7-7-17, it's been a down year for the club, which currently holds 13th in the Western Conference. Los Angeles and St. Louis battled to a 2-2 draw in their first meeting of the season back on April 27. 

It will be another critical chance to grab three more points on the road as LAFC looks to keep hold of their top-four position in the West. The Seattle Sounders loom closely, just five points behind. 

Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. PT.