LAFC blows past Austin into Western Conference semis

Son Heung-Min and Denis Bouanga put on another strong performance to take Los Angeles FC into the Western Conference semifinals with a 4-1 victory at Austin FC on Sunday evening.

Bouanga had two goals and an assist, and Son had one of each as third-seeded LAFC completed the Game 2 victory and swept the best-of-three round one series.

Bouanga's goals were his 100th and 101st of his LAFC career across all competitions and 31st and 32nd in all competitions this season.

Jeremy Ebobisse added a late insurance tally as LAFC secured a meeting at second-seeded Vancouver after the November international window.

Already trailing 3-0, Dani Pereira scored from the penalty spot late in the first-half for sixth-seeded Austin, which was eliminated by LAFC for a second consecutive postseason appearance after losing the 2022 Western Conference final in Southern California.

Myrto Uzuni saw his earlier penalty saved by Hugo Lloris, an effort that could've cut the hosts' deficit to 2-1 before Bouanga scored his second of the contest.

Son opened the scoring in the 21st minute. Bouanga created the opportunity when he took the ball off Mikkel Desler in his own end, then spotted Son with an outlet pass into the attacking half down the left.

Son dribbled at Ilie Sanchez, while Bouanga made a surging run up the right that prevented Sanchez's defensive teammates from providing help on the ball. And while Sanchez correctly forced Son wide, the Korean star still fired a perfect finish beyond goalkeeper Brad Stuver's leg and inside the far post.

Bouanga had his first only four minutes later.

This time, Sergi Palencia made the interception before playing the ball down the right to Son on the break. Stuver misread the play and came off his line, and after Son's first pass attempt was deflected, his second found Bouanga across the field. Bouanga finished through traffic before Stuver could retreat to his net.

Bouanga added his second in the 44th minute.

Ryan Hollingshead won a header to play Ryan Porteous' long, diagonal ball into Bouanga's path. From there, the Gabonese international wove past multiple Austin defenders before firing a low finish past Stuver.

--Field Level Media