Hat Trick Hero: Bouanga Shines as LAFC Roll Past RSL

Sunday night at BMO Stadium was all about celebrating Noche de Carlos Vela. The crowd brought the energy, and Denis Bouanga made sure it lasted, firing a hat trick to lead LAFC to a 4–1 win over Real Salt Lake.

RSL struck first in the 14th minute when Brayan Vera unleashed a thunderbolt from outside the box. LAFC responded just before halftime — first through Bouanga, who combined with Son Heung-Min in the box and finished low to level it at 1–1. Moments later, Son put LAFC in front with a strike from outside the box into the bottom corner after a pass from David Martínez, sending LAFC into the break ahead 2–1.

The second half saw LAFC stay in control. Bouanga broke free on a counter in the 73rd minute and chipped over the keeper to extend the lead. He sealed the night in the 87th with his third goal, finishing from the center of the box to complete his hat trick.

RSL created half-chances through William Agada and Diogo Gonçalves, but Hugo Lloris and the LAFC backline stood firm.

It finished 4–1, marking back-to-back wins by that same scoreline against Real Salt Lake. On a night meant to honor Carlos Vela, it was Bouanga who stole the show — and Son who added his first BMO Stadium goal to cap the performance.

With five games left in the regular season and the playoffs looming, LAFC sit 4th in the Western Conference. Next up, they travel east to face St. Louis City SC on Saturday, September 27 at 5:30 p.m. PT.