MLS Los Angeles FC

Denis Bouanga Hat Trick Helps LAFC Remain Unbeaten with 3-0 Win Over Austin FC

Published on April 8, 2023 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Los Angeles FC News Release


The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) remained unbeaten in MLS play with an impressive 3-0 win over Austin FC on Saturday night at BMO Stadium. Denis Bounaga recorded the first hat trick of his MLS career, scoring the opener late in the first half before adding two more in the 57th and 68th minute to round out the victory. Bouanga is the fifth player in LAFC history to record a hat trick in MLS, and the first to do so since Carlos Vela scored three in the 2022 season-opening win over Colorado on February 26.

With the win, LAFC is now 4-0-2 on the season for 14 points, including a perfect 4-0-0 at home. The Black & Gold are one of two teams without a loss in MLS this season along with FC Cincinnati.

LAFC will be back in Concacaf Champions League action on Tuesday, April 11 when the club hosts the Vancouver Whitecaps in the second leg of their aggregate-goal quarterfinal series. LAFC won the first leg 3-0 on April 5 meaning that a win, draw or loss by fewer than three goals will see LAFC advance to the Champions League semifinals for the second time in club history.

The Black and Gold are back in action in MLS play on Sunday, April 16 when they head to Carson to face the LA Galaxy. That game will kick off at 1:30 p.m. and can be seen live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and FOX.

NEWS & NOTES

With the win, LAFC is now 4-0-2 on the season for 14 points.

LAFC is one of two teams, along with FC Cincinnati that is yet to lose a game in MLS this season.

This is the second time in LAFC's six seasons in MLS that the club has gone unbeaten in its first six regular season games. In 2019, LAFC opened the season with a seven-game unbeaten streak, a mark that can be equaled next weekend.

LAFC has scored two or more goals in all four of its home games in MLS this season.

All 12 of LAFC's goals this season have come at home. Each of the club's two road games in the league has ended 0-0.

Only three teams have scored more than LAFC's 12 goals this season while their three conceded are the second-fewest in the league.

Goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic made his MLS and LAFC debut in the game, making four saves and keeping a clean sheet.

Jakupovic is the fifth different LAFC goalkeeper to earn a win and keep a clean sheet in his debut for the club.

Denis Bounaga's hat trick was his second in all competitions this season, having also scored three times in the 3-0 Concacaf Champions League win over Alajuelense in Costa Rica on March 9.

Bouanga's hat trick was his first in MLS play. He is the fifth different LAFC player to record a hat trick in MLS, joining Carlos Vela, Diego Rossi, Adama Diomande and Cristian Arango.

Each of Bounaga's first two goals were unassisted while Sergi Palencia and Carlos Vela were credited with assists on the third goal.

Vela's assist was his team-best third of the season while Palencia's was the first of his MLS career.

Defender Denil Maldonado made the first start of his MLS career.

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Major League Soccer Stories from April 8, 2023


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