Los Angeles defeats Atlanta United at home with late goal

Los Angeles FC eked out a win over Atlanta United on Sunday by way of a late Denis Bouanga goal.

Apart from a few set pieces by LAFC and some routine saves by the Atlanta United goalkeeper, neither side saw much goalscoring action in the opening 45 minutes.

LAFC should’ve scored in the 55th minute after a solid build-up led to a threatening cross by fullback Sergi Palencia, which midfielder Marco Delgado nearly converted at the backpost but ultimately led to an LAFC corner kick.

Atlanta United had its own opportunity at goal in the 70th minute, when LAFC’s defenders gave Atlanta midfielder Bartosz Slisz too much space. Slisz’s strike deflected off an LAFC defender and hit the right post of the goal, just inches away from being the game’s breakthrough goal.

LAFC’s Denis Bouanga saved the day for the Black and Gold and found the lone goal of the match in the 86th minute. Delgado chipped the ball into the penalty box, and a failed clearance by an Atlanta defender allowed Bouanga to volley the ball into the back of the net, earning LAFC three crucial points at home.

The Gabon international now ties Inter Miami star Lionel Messi for the 2025 MLS Golden Boot lead with 24 goals.

LAFC remains in fourth place in the Western Conference standings and is only four points behind first-place San Diego FC. With three matches left to play in the regular season, the fate of LAFC’s playoff seeding is in its own hands, as the club has at least one match remaining against the rest of the Western Conference.