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3h ago

LAFC Carry Son–Bouanga Scoring Spree Into St. Louis as Top-Four Push Builds

A run of hat tricks in three straight games has vaulted Los Angeles into position to host in round one.

Mark Delgado (8) celebrates with LAFC teammates Son Heung-Min (7) and Denis Bouanga (99) after scoring the team’s first goal against New England on Aug. 16, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • LAFC have won three league matches in eight days, scoring four in each and becoming the first MLS team to record hat tricks in three consecutive games, with Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga supplying all 12 goals.
  • The surge lifted LAFC to 50 points, clinched a playoff berth, and created a five-point cushion over fifth place as they chase a top-four Western seed with home-field implications.
  • Bouanga has 22 goals after his latest hat trick, extending his unmatched streak to three straight 20-goal MLS seasons and leaving him two behind the league lead this year.
  • St. Louis City have shown progress under interim coach David Critchley, boosted by 23-year-old Brendan McSorley’s brace and assist in his first MLS start, yet they need a win to stave off elimination this weekend depending on other results.
  • LAFC enter on a 10-match road unbeaten run and St. Louis are winless in five all-time meetings with them, with Saturday’s trip also presenting Steve Cherundolo a chance at his 100th win as LAFC head coach.