In a dominating performance at America First Field, Los Angeles FC claimed a decisive 4-1 victory over Real Salt Lake in Week 18 of the season. Son Heungmin was the undisputed star of the match, netting three goals (2’ 1T, 15’ 1T, and 36’ 2T), with Denis Bouanga adding a fourth before Zavier Gozo scored the consolation goal for the home side in the 75th minute.
Son Heungmin opened the scoring just two minutes into the match, connecting brilliantly with a cross from Timothy Tillman and finishing expertly from inside the box.
Real Salt Lake’s Rwan Cruz had a chance to reduce the deficit but missed a penalty in the 55th minute, further compounding the frustration for the home team.
Alongside Heungmin’s standout performance, Denis Bouanga also impressed, scoring one goal and taking two shots on target throughout the match.
Real Salt Lake’s coach, Pablo Mastroeni, opted for a 4-4-2 formation, featuring Rafael Cabral in goal, with DeAndre Yedlin, Justen Glad, Brayan Vera, and Alexandros Katranis in defense. The midfield consisted of Zavier Gozo, Emeka Eneli, Braian Ojeda, and Diego Luna, while Rwan Cruz and Victor Olatunji led the attack.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles FC, under coach Steve Cherundolo, lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Hugo Lloris as the goalkeeper and a defensive quartet of Sergi Palencia, Ryan Porteous, Nkosi Tafari, and Ryan Hollingshead. The midfield featured Mathieu Choiniere, Mark Delgado, and Eddie Segura, with Timothy Tillman, Son Heungmin, and Denis Bouanga in the front line.
Referee Armando Villarreal officiated the match at America First Field.
Looking ahead to the next fixtures, Real Salt Lake will visit Seattle Sounders, while Los Angeles FC will host Toronto FC.
Substitutions for Real Salt Lake
67’ 2T – Emeka Eneli out for Noel Caliskan, Rwan Cruz out for Johnny Russell, Brayan Vera out for Samuel Junqua
77’ 2T – Braian Ojeda out for Tyler Wolff
82’ 2T – Diego Luna out for William Agada
Yellow Cards for Real Salt Lake:
36’ 1T Rwan Cruz (Unsportsmanlike conduct), 17’ 2T Alexandros Katranis (Unsportsmanlike conduct), 50’ 2T Tyler Wolff (Unsportsmanlike conduct)
Red Card for Real Salt Lake:
47’ 2T Victor Olatunji (Direct red)
Substitutions for Los Angeles FC
72’ 2T – Timothy Tillman out for Andrew Moran
73’ 2T – Ryan Hollingshead out for Artem Smoliakov
84’ 2T – Mark Delgado out for Yaw Yeboah
85’ 2T – Son Heungmin out for David Martínez
88’ 2T – Sergi Palencia out for Ryan Raposo
Yellow Card for Los Angeles FC:
28’ 2T Andrew Moran (Unsportsmanlike conduct)