Last week we talked about how odd it was to see so many opposing fans, essentially, take over BMO when Club América made their visit with the Club World Cup on the line. This week, there was an even odder sight, or perhaps sound. Well, the lack there of at least. This past weekend things in Los Angeles had ramped up as ICE raids began, the community fought back, and things escalated. For their part, LAFC‘s supporters group 3252, the fans that occupy the North End and provide 99% of the noise, atmosphere and chants throughout the match, decided this was the perfect time for their own form of protest. With a “Abolish ICE” banner in their section, they made a point to not cheer, chant, or anything for the entirety of the match.
The 3252 are also displaying banners of support ahead of tonight’s match.
— Justin Horneker (@hornekerjustin.bsky.social) June 8, 2025 at 5:13 PM
For their part, LAFC also released a statement prior to the match, showing support and solidarity with the community of Los Angeles as a whole as the city tries to navigate the situation as best they could.
Shoulder to Shoulder ✊ pic.twitter.com/lpAiXvr4Mt
— LAFC (@LAFC) June 8, 2025
As far as the match goes, the lack of constant noise had no hinderance on LAFC, as they were able to put in one of their better matches on the season against the visiting Sporting KC. Things got off to a rocky start with Sporting KC breaking down the defense near the end of what was a pretty dominant first half from LAFC. On their single build-up of the half, SKC put together some phenomenal passing that ended with former LA Galaxy striker, Dejan Joveljic, getting on the end of pass and streaking past defenders before putting in the goal for the lead in the 38th minute, which was the only shot all half the visitors had.
Beautiful tik-taka move is finished off by Dejan Joveljic. 🤩
📺 #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/Y1B7HTT80U pic.twitter.com/OwMgISXhFA
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 9, 2025
The team took that personally, and weren’t about to let their hard work in the half be for naught. With time winding down in the half, LAFC took full advantage of their last corner kick of the half. Denis Bounga put in a gorgeous kick from the flag, that couldn’t have been walked over better for the leaping Eddie Segura, who nudged it home, just past the post for the equalizer in stoppage time. The team finished the half level on goals, but with more possession, more shots (5), more successful passing, and more corners(4). Now, they just needed to find more goals in the second half.
Eddie Segura’s header from the corner draws us level 🎯#LAFCvSKC 1-1 https://t.co/gF2CBUhrOt pic.twitter.com/zJt5c1JFaB
— LAFC (@LAFC) June 9, 2025
The second half was even more dominant from LAFC, and this time, it came with goals! The team finished the second half with 17 shots, 88% success rate on 236 passes, another four corners and more importantly, goals. The first goal of the second half came courtesy of a penalty decision against Sporting KC. Denis Bouanga was the one who stepped up to the spot, and no stutters, no pauses, just a run up smashing the ball past the keeper for the lead in the 59th minute.
Automatic ✔️
Denis Bouanga gives us the lead from the spot.#LAFCvSKC 2-1 https://t.co/UwoeP87jd4 pic.twitter.com/4kfzlF4Uch
— LAFC (@LAFC) June 9, 2025
Denis Bouanga personally had one of his best games of the season. He got the assist on the corner kick in the first half, got his goal from the spot in the second half and as the match came to an end, he added another assist to his tally giving him a hat-trick of goal involvements on the night. In stoppage time, Bouanga showed off his hold-up play, and passing when he was able to attack the defense, slow it up, wait for Olivier Giroud to get his run going, let off a real slick pass, that ended with Giroud doing just enough to get it past the keeper for his goal. With the lead extended, and time running out, three points were in the bag for LAFC as they were able to put emotions and distractions to the side for 90 minutes, to get the win. Their unbeaten run now extends to ten in all competitions, and nine unbeaten in MLS league play.
Olivier Giroud adds another goal in the final moments to make it 3⃣ https://t.co/kTZestNvMN pic.twitter.com/rOSgJtij8x
— LAFC (@LAFC) June 9, 2025
The team remain at home as they get set to take on Toronto FC in what will be their last MLS match before they hit the world stage for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup tournament set to take place this summer. While the excitement for their first-ever Club World Cup appearance is high, the important thing to remember is MLS needs to come first at this point if the club is going to come away with some silverware at the end of this season.
Thoughts on the win at home? Leave a comment below!