After settling for a somewhat disappointing draw on Tuesday in Champions Cup action, LAFC were back on the pitch looking to bounce back in a big way as they wrapped up the three match home stand against St. Louis City. While the overall win streak was snapped, the team still had an unblemished record in MLS to protect, not only winning all their domestic matches, but having not conceded a goal in league play coming into tonight.
The Starting XI for #LAFCvSTL#LAFC | @BMO_US pic.twitter.com/qsjYYdXCAE
— LAFC (@LAFC) March 15, 2026
If there is one thing LAFC is going to do, it’s look for the fast start to a match and try to get the early goal. They nearly had one in the opening two minutes, as a wonderful pass from Son found Denis Bouanga behind the defense and with just enough space to take on the keeper 1v1. However, the shot was hit with more power than accuracy, with the attempt sailing over the target. The early chance set the tone for the half with LAFC continue to pepper the goal and find spaces in the attacking third throughout the first 15 minutes of the match.
Despite the early control, there was a moment where it looked like the visitors found the first goal courtesy of a well placed free kick that found a flick to put the ball into the back of the net, but a flag for offside eased the Los Angeles crowd as it remained scoreless. Despite controlling most of the half, St. Louis were still making it interesting. They were earning corners and free kicks in dangerous spots on the field, and finding just enough space to put on a few close attempts. It was a true back-and-forth throughout the first half as both teams were hunting for that increasingly important opening goal.
The best look in the first half for either side came in the 40th minute from LAFC. A great ball forward was then headed toward Nathan Ordaz who controlled it and put on a gorgeous spin move all in one movement to free up a clear look from inside the box. The effort was inches from bulging the back of the net, hitting the post and staying out for St. Louis keeper Roman Bürki to collect. The first half ended with neither side finding the opening goal, but plenty of action from both teams as it definitely felt like we would see one, or a few, scores in the second half.
Scoreless after 45.#LAFCvSTL pic.twitter.com/Bs8Mz9NoXe
— LAFC (@LAFC) March 15, 2026
The first 20 minutes of the second half saw St. Louis slowly start to grapple away control of the match from Los Angeles. The visitors were piling up free kicks and corners, they were spending a lot more time around the LA defensive final third, and were looking the bigger threat for finding the goal. As time went on, it very much seemed like it would either end in a scoreless draw, or heartbreak for the black & gold.
Just when it looked like the match was getting away from LAFC, they did what they do best, strike fast. It took 73 minutes but midfielder Mathieu Choinière was able to glide past several defenders with help to his right, and instead of passing it, he slotted the ball past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net himself for the first goal of the match, and what Los Angeles was hoping, would be the eventual winner.
Perfect placement for Mathieu Choinière for our first 🎯 pic.twitter.com/wpVzsMNUPx
— LAFC (@LAFC) March 15, 2026
The goal seemed to wake the home side up for the last quarter of the second half, as LAFC went hunting for a second goal as they regained control of the match. Not satisfied with one, Choinière decided to drive the dagger into St. Louis himself with a deadly strike from outside the box in the 81st minute of the match. Once he got the ball he saw plenty of space to step up and hit the ball low and hard, watching it skip past the keeper, nestling into the corner for his brace, and the second goal of the night for LAFC.
Make it ✌️
Mathieu Choinière with his second of the night 🚀 pic.twitter.com/e33eMO1Ann
— LAFC (@LAFC) March 15, 2026
The two goals from Choinière were enough to secure the three points for LAFC in what was a very testy, grind-it-out type of match. Both sides kept knocking on the door in search of the goals, and it was Los Angeles who decided to just kick the door down and snatch the three points. The win moves them to four wins and four clean sheets in MLS play this season, as they continue their domestic domination. The busy schedule continues as the club now turn their attention to Tuesday where they play LD Alajuelense away in the second leg of the Champions Cup.
Thoughts on the late brace from Mathieu Choinière? Drop a comment for us below!