COLUMBUS — Carlos Vela has been the face of Los Angeles FC since joining the Western Conference club I 2018 and rightfully so, but the focus is beginning to shift to a new growing star within the club’s attacking ranks.
Denis Bouanga has enjoyed a sensational 2023 campaign for the defending MLS Cup winners, lifting not only a Western Conference title this fall, but also the MLS Golden Boot award. The 29-year-old Gabon international has registered 40 goals and 13 assists in 56 combined appearances for LAFC, featuring in MLS, Leagues Cup, and CONCACAF Nations League play.
After a slow start during the second half of the 2022 campaign, Bouanga has found his groove heading into Saturday’s MLS Cup showdown with the Columbus Crew.
“When he came last season, it took a little bit for him to understand our model and our model to understand him,” said Cherundolo to media this week. “What Dénis does to opponents, physically and with the ball, he did in France.
“That was easy for everyone to see and for everyone to scout,” he added. “I think what we’ve added is just kind of matched or married his qualities on and off the ball to our game model. And that sometimes takes time and coaching.”
The French-born Bouanga did not find the back of the net against the Houston Dynamo in last weekend’s 2-0 Western Conference Final win, but his overall run of form is mindboggling. Bouanga scored 10 goals in his six prior appearances for LAFC, netting three goals in the first round against the Vancouver Whitecaps before also delivering the winner in a 1-0 semifinal triumph over the Seattle Sounders.
After being a secondary scoring option for LAFC last season, Bouanga has relished the opportunity of leading the club’s attacking front. His 40 goals currently rank third all-time in the LAFC goalscoring ranks behind only Diego Rossi and Vela.
The Crew will try everything they can to keep the veteran forward off the scoresheet, knowing if they can limit Bouanga’s scoring chances, they have a good opportunity to win the title.
“He’s ruthless, simple as that,” Crew veteran Julian Gressel said about Bouanga to media. “When I watch the goal, for example, against Seattle, where he runs, makes a 50-yard sprint and doesn’t slow down one bit to get an absolute quality shot off to score the goal. That goal, if you watch that, I think that is who he is.
“And that shows you how dangerous he can be, where he runs away from two guys with the ball at his feet, and at the same time, still adjusting his body enough to get the shot off without even slowing down,” Gressel added.
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