Los Angeles FC handles their own against Toronto FC at home

No Son? No Bouanga? No problem for the Black and Gold.

The Los Angeles Football Club defeated Toronto FC, with a final scoreline of 2-0 in its final home match of the 2025 regular season, after goals from fresh faces.

Wednesday’s match was LAFC’s first without winger Denis Bouanga and forward Son Heung-Min, both of whom are on international duty. The attacking star duo is credited with the team’s last 18 goals before this match.

The opening goal came in the 13th minute by striker Jeremy Ebobisse. A mistake by Toronto FC’s defensive midfielder, Alonso Coello, led to the opener. Coello was caught in the middle of a turn before Ebobisse stole the ball and broke away from Toronto’s defense before firing a left-footed shot to give LAFC the lead.

This goal was Ebobisse’s fourth of the season, with his last goal being on May 14th in a 4-0 win over the Seattle Sounders. Ebobisse recently returned from injury on September 24th.

Neither side was able to threaten again for the remainder of the first half.

In the 60th minute, LAFC almost found a second goal after being awarded a penalty in the 58th minute thanks to a foul committed on David Martínez. The young forward stepped up to take the spot kick, only for his penalty to be denied following an impressive diving save by Toronto FC goalkeeper Sean Johnson.

Martínez was substituted off in the 67th minute for midfielder Frankie Amaya, who proved to be the difference for LAFC. Just three minutes after entering the match, Frankie delivered his very first goal for the Black and Gold to double their lead. The UCLA alum is on loan with LAFC until the end of the season.

LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made three saves this match for his 11th clean sheet of the season. The French international is now tied for the second-most shutouts in the MLS this season.

LAFC moved up to third in the Western Conference standings, only one point behind first-place (currently shared by San Diego FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps). The victory is LAFC’s sixth in a row, just one away from tying its longest regular-season win streak in club history.

Throughout this match, LAFC generated its offensive production by either playing long balls from its defenders to its forwards or building momentum from its backline. Additionally, the team was unafraid to press Toronto while on defense, which is how both goals were created. Los Angeles was quick to turn defense into offense and finish off their chances to secure all three points.

“It’s just hard when Sonny and Denis are attacking and scoring like they are; it’s hard to find time for others,” said Head Coach Steve Cherundolo. “It’s great to see guys step up, and we’re going to need them again Sunday, and I’m really looking forward to it, but I’m not surprised.”

The Black and Gold will face sixth-place Austin FC on Sunday, Oct. 12th, on the road. The previous meeting between the two sides ended in a 1-0 victory for Austin back on March 15th. LAFC will need another strong defensive performance and key contributions from their bench if they want to continue their push in becoming 2025 MLS Cup Champions.