LAFC wins 5-2 thriller over Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS Western Conference First-Round… as Denis Bouanga and Ryan Hollingshead record braces

Los Angeles City FC earned a hard-fought 5-2 victory in a thriller against the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Major League Soccer Western Conference Playoffs.

Ryan Hollingshead kicked off the goal when his own shot bounced straight to his feet after he tried to head in a corner to give LA a 1-0 lead inside the box.

Vancouver managed to level the match in less than 10 minutes when Brian White made a beautifully played through ball at the end and fired the ball past the keeper into the 27.

Denis Bouanga returned two minutes later to regain LA’s lead after slipping past two defenders before firing the ball into the back of the net.

The match came into knots again when Sam Adekugbe flew into the air and headed in a corner inside the 40.

Denis Bouanga #99 scored two excellent goals and recorded a brace in the thrilling win

Hollingshead managed to put LAFC ahead again when he scored his second close-range goal of the evening after LA knocked the ball around the penalty area following another corner.

Bouanga then put LA ahead by two when he kicked a low line drive from yards outside the 18-yard box from a set piece for his second goal of the evening.

To ensure the Whitecaps could more than overcome the lead, Jesus Murillo put LAFC ahead by three goals in the 80th minute when his header rattled off the underside of the crossbar and found its way into the net.

Four of LA’s five goals on the night came from set-pieces as the winners showed a clear advantage in terms of the match.

They also proved to be the more clinical team in front of goal after Vancouver finished the match with a higher expected goals percentage.

Both teams will face each other again on Sunday.