California Battle Has LAFC Victorious

PHOTO; LAFC Communications

After being eliminated from CONCACAF Champions Cup by Inter Miami, LAFC returned to BMO Stadium to face state rivals San Jose Earthquakes. The team from Southern California came with a record of three wins, three defeats and one draw.

Steve Cherundolo and Bruce Arena, two of the biggest references in American soccer placed their best XI: the Quakes had returning LAFC player Cristian Arango and Major League Soccer legend Josef Martinez in front with Peruvian captain Cristian Espinoza in the right side behind them. The Black and Gold brought Oliver Giroud as a false 9 with Nathan Ordaz and Designed Player Denis Bouanga in the wings. Interestingly, Sergi Palencia and Rayan Hollingshead appeared in the side, but as part of the midfield giving an apparent 3-5-2 formation. The ubication of one of these players had an impact in the score

The first half ended with one clear chance per team; after a defensive error by Eddie Segura, Cristian Arango and Josef Martinez; assister and finisher respectively, almost scored the first goal. However, Hugo Lloris was at the right place to make the save. In the 27, Nathan Ordaz attempted through a long distance shot to place the ball on the net, but it went out wide,

In the same goal almost at the same distance, ¨Chicho¨ Arango stroke the ball with similar results from the previous play. it was until the 64th minute that the ball went through the goal, Denis Bouanga took the ball om the right side, stroke it but Quakes´ goalkeeper Daniel De Sousa crooked the ball to the left side. Sergi Palencia shot the ball with a single touch to give the Black and Gold the one-goal-advantage. His and Rayan´s incorporation to the midfield facilitated the chances to score, and the former Barca Academy player did not miss the chance to do so.

Denis Bouanga had three goals in 2025, none of them were in MLS. The result of his effort was rewarded in the 86th minute. Timothy Tilman stole the ball in the midfield, gave it to Oliver Giroud. The French international shot the ball but it was deflected by the goalkeeper. From the right side, Denis Bouanga right-footed the ball increasing the advantage for LAFC.

San Jose´s captain Cristian Espinoza added thrill to the last five minutes of the game with a goal, but the final result of the California Battle was two goals to one in favor of the Black and Gold.

This match marked the 100-game record for two players; Rayan Hollingshead as an LAFC player and Cristian ¨Chicho¨ Arango as an MLS member.

The Quakes return to PayPal Park to face post-Peter Vrermes team Sporting Kansas City. LAFC travels to Portland to go against Portland Timbers.