Bouanga on cusp of new MLS goalscoring record

Gabon and LAFC forward Denis Bounaga has bagged 37 goals this season for his club across the five competitions the Black and Gold have competed in this 2023 campaign. One more goal would see the striker join level with teammate Carlos Vela who currently holds the all-time record for his 38 goals secured in 2019.

The 29-year-old who moved to MLS from Ligue 1 side Saint Etienne in 2022 has been relentless in front of goal in the black shirt with his strikes helping the side from the City of Angels to win MLS Cup last season. This year, Bouanga has scored 20 goals in the regular season, seven in the CONCACAF Champions League, six in the Leagues Cup and four already as LAFC progress to the Western Conference final where they will face Houston Dynamo on Sunday.

Bounga with his 37 strikes, sits in second place in the overall time goal scoring ranking, two ahead of Joesf Martinez’s 35 goals with Atlanta United in 2018.

The Venezuelan broke the record which was previously held by LA Galaxy’s Carlos Ruiz. The Guatemalan striker in turn beat the long standing 34 goals bagged in 1996 by Roy Lassiter who was the centre forward for the now defunct Tampa Bay Mutiny.