Denis Bouanga nabs hat track, LAFC wrecks Orlando City SC

Denis Bouanga scored three times in eight minutes during Los Angeles FC’s 6-0 rout of visiting Orlando City SC on Saturday.

LAFC (5-0-1, 16 points) has outscored opponents 14-0 during their unbeaten start to the regular season. The club’s 540 minutes without a goal conceded matches the ninth-longest shutout streak in MLS history.

Hugo Lloris has been in net for all six shutouts, and the 540 goalless minutes is the 11th-longest streak for any goalkeeper in MLS history. Lloris stopped all six shots on target on Saturday, and needed to make several impressive stops in the second half as Orlando continued to press.

Bouanga’s hat trick was the fifth of his MLS career, tied for the second-most in league history. The star forward was off to a slow start by his standard, with only one goal in LAFC’s first five matches.

Son Heung-Min tallied four assists, matching the second-highest assist total for any player in an MLS game.

Sergi Palencia and Tyler Boyd each scored their first goals of the season. Orlando defender David Brekalo was responsible for Los Angeles FC’s other score, via an own goal in the seventh minute.

Orlando City (1-5-0, three points) have allowed a league-worst 23 goals over their six matches.

Brekalo’s mistake started the nightmare early for the Lions, and the Son/Bouanga connection then took control. In the 20th minute, Son’s terrific pass up the middle found a streaking Bouanga, who sent a well-placed chip shot over the diving Maxime Crepeau for the score.

Three minutes later, Bouanga’s next goal left defender Nolan Miller flat-footed in a one-on-one matchup in the box. Son set up Bouanga with another strong pass, and Bouanga evaded Miller and buried the shot.

The hat trick was completed in the 28th minute, sparked by a Lions turnover in their own end. Son took the loose ball and quickly found Bouanga again for the finish.

Palencia was in front to convert a Son pass in the 39th minute. Boyd had the second half’s only goal, heading in a Jacob Shaffelburg cross in the 70th minute.

–Field Level Media