![[One-sentence description of what this media is: "A photo of a vaccine site on USC campus" or "Gif of dancing banana". Important for accessibility/people who use screen readers.]](https://uscannenberg-uscannenberg-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/NYJTXE7BIFGQHH5Q4QY7VMZHIU.jpg?smart=true&auth=db926e7f0e9724f1e4af71eef1bf6ab65c7af0d1b5065501e6864b152bc75ea2&width=3840&height=2160)
In a night of clasicos, Angelinos were simultaneously stuck to their television watching the Lakers face the Clippers and Los Angeles FC receive their counterpart LA Galaxy.
While both matches were quite compelling, the main course tonight was the Western Conference matchup between LAFC and Galaxy, where the two clashed for a ticket to the MLS Conference finals.
“It’s probably the loudest I’ve ever seen the Banc [of California Stadium],” said LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau. “Today, [the fans] took it to another level.”
Christian ‘Chicho’ Arango scored from inside the box in the 93rd minute to lift LAFC to a 3-2 Western Conference semifinal victory over LA Galaxy at the Banc of California. LAFC will go on to the conference final, looking to advance to their first ever MLS Cup final in five years of history.
Just three minutes away from the end of the game, Kellyn Acosta took a corner in favor of the Black and Gold. The ball was met by Dénis Bouanga inside the box, but the shot attempt was rejected by Galaxy’s goalkeeper Jonathan Bond. Arango would find the ball at his feet only to push it past the Galaxy goalkeeper.
“Big players make big plays in big moments,” said LAFC defensive midfielder Kellyn Acosta in reference to his teammates’ efforts.
The first half finished with a score of 1-1, after Dénis Bouanga opened the scoresheet in the 23rd minute and Samuel Grandsir added a late goal.
During the second half emotions were running low, until the 80th minute when Bouanga scored his second of the game after a cross was not met by Kwadwo Okopu and the ball fell to the Gabonese forward inside of the box to tap it in.
“Denis did what he has shown from day one, but he finished plays,” said LAFC head coach Steve Cherundulo. “He is a threat. [I am] extremely excited and proud of being his coach and of LAFC tonight,” he added.
Just five minutes later, Dejan Joveljic hit the ball from outside of the box and found the right corner to tie the score again. Eight minutes later, the game-winning goal by Arango decided the match.
“I did not expect to score in the last minute,” said Cherundolo, “but I still had a very good feeling moving into overtime we would still find the winner.”
LAFC will now face Austin FC in the western conference final putting the MLS Audi Cup final ticket on the line.