LAFC Secures 2-1 Victory Over Vancouver in MLS Playoff Opener

LAFC takes the lead in the best-of-three series with goals from Denis Bouanga and Cristian Olivera.

Denis Bouanga opened the scoring for LAFC with a penalty kick in the 30th minute after a handball by Vancouver's Tristan Blackmon.
LAFC's Cristian Olivera doubled the lead in the 57th minute with a powerful shot following assists from Mateusz Bogusz and Ryan Hollingshead.
Vancouver's Ryan Gauld scored in stoppage time, preventing a shutout but not altering the outcome of the match.
LAFC's Hugo Lloris had a relatively quiet night with three saves, as the team maintained control for most of the game.
The series moves to British Columbia next Sunday, where LAFC will aim to advance to the Western Conference semifinals with another win.