The return to MLS action couldn’t have gone better or LAFC over the last couple of matches. First, they made their return, on the road, against rivals LA Galaxy, where they scored three in a clean sheet win, then followed it up just a few days ago with a 3-1 win at home over Real Salt Lake. Now, the black & gold shift focus to the worst team in the Western Conference, Sporting Kansas City, where they hope to continue building on the form they have gathered so far. If ever there was a match to run it up, it’s tonight.
The Starting XI for #LAFCvSKC#LAFC | @BMO_US pic.twitter.com/1OYm1ZKtWx
— LAFC (@LAFC) July 26, 2026
On paper, this was a relatively favorable match for LAFC, playing host to a team that hasn’t seen a result against them in nearly three years, as well as a team that currently sits worst in the Western Conference. At the same time, we have seen this club play to the level of their opponent’s too often leaving doors open for heartbreaking results. That’s why it felt really good seeing this team start the match with their foot on the gas, wasting zero time in finding the back of the net. Just five minutes into the match it was Heung-Min Son who wrestled a defender off of him as he drove towards goal, slotting it home comfortably, making it three matches since the return that we have seen the South Korean striker put it across the line.
Composed finish from Sonny 🎯
That’s 3 goals in 3 matches for Son Heung-Min. https://t.co/FJVf42oYlT pic.twitter.com/29qNcJ0Ffk
— LAFC (@LAFC) July 26, 2026
The first half proved to be all LAFC and they didn’t stop with just the opening goal. In the 37th minute it was Denis Bouanga who got behind the defense and on the other end if a great ball that saw him muscle past the defender and put the ball past the keeper for the second goal of the night, doubling the lead for the black & gold.
Catch him if you can ⚡️
Bouanga delivers our 2nd of the night. https://t.co/wYAU5bQgI2 pic.twitter.com/QyQqh1nGRg
— LAFC (@LAFC) July 26, 2026
With the first half waning, it was David Martinez that found himself putting the ball into the back of the net to extend the lead for LAFC. In extra time it was the Venezuelan who got on the end of a perfect pass from Denis Bouanga, hesitated to throw off the defender, and slotted it past the keeper to make it three before the halftime break.
Bouanga pass ➡️ Martínez finish
David makes it 3. https://t.co/eSvHGyS8qK pic.twitter.com/xS1IfzVOpb
— LAFC (@LAFC) July 26, 2026
In true LAFC fashion, the team spent the majority of the second half conceding possession and making sure to keep tight defensively to see out not just he win, but the clean sheet. Los Angeles drove the dagger into Sporting Kansas City late in the match, courtesy of a great ball forward that found attacker Tyler Boyd in stride. The forward then passed it to Bouanga who had a man near the penalty spot, but decided to take the shot himself, sending it screaming past the keeper for his brace, giving LAFC four goals on the night.
Bouanga picks his spot for his 2nd 💥 https://t.co/SsoFBhXyX8 pic.twitter.com/hPh9RZtGKj
— LAFC (@LAFC) July 26, 2026
The fourth goal would be the last of the evening as LAFC were not only able to see out the win for three points, but were able to keep yet another clean sheet, which has to be a massive boost to the defense. The win makes it four straight, three of those wins have come since returning from the FIFA World Cup break, having conceded just one goal in that stretch. What’s more, Sonny got on the score sheet yet again, making it a goal in each match since his return from the World Cup, giving him three for the season. After a flurry of matches this past week, LAFC will get to enjoy a few more days off with their next match on the road against Vancouver Whitecaps next weekend. A chance to overtake the best team in the Western Conference, with a win.
Thoughts on the big win at home? Let us know in the comments below!