Denis Bouanga breaks Lionel Messi’s all-time Leagues Cup record

Another weekend, another goal scoring milestone for Denis Bouanga. The LAFC forward scored in his team’s 3-0 Leagues Cup victory over Seattle Sounders on Saturday, helping his side to a place in the semi-final.

Bouanga, 29, also earnt himself a place in the record books with that goal, becoming the leading goalscorer in the relatively brief history of Leagues Cup. With 11 goals, he overtakes Lionel Messi at the top of the Leagues Cup scoring charts.

The 2024 competition is the fifth edition of the MLS-Liga MX tournament and only the second in its current 47-team format. Previously, only four teams took part in Leagues Cup. However Bouanga’s record is undeniably impressive. His 11 Leagues Cup goals have come in just eight appearances, and the Gabonese forward has also provided six assists for teammates.

“There’s no substitute for quality players and we have quality players,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo explained after the Saturday’s win. “Namely, Denis Bouanga, for one, who is physically talented, technically talented, who also just loves scoring goals and knows where to be.”

After a slow start to the season - no goals in his first four MLS games - Bouanga has hit form as the regular season run-in approaches. He has contributed 21 goals and 14 assists across 32 games in all competition.

LAFC on for historic season

Since making their MLS debut in 2018, LAFC have enjoyed remarkably consistent success. They clinched the Supporters’ Shield in 2019 and 2022, going on to lift MLS Cup in the latter campaign, and returned to contest MLS Cup against in 2023. In the past five seasons the MLS Golden Boot has been won by an LAFC player on three occasions, with three different players (Bouanga, Diego Rossi, Carlos Vela) picking up the award.

This season, however, could see Cherundolo’s side reach even greater heights. They are in the semi-final of both the Leagues Cup and the US Open Cup, and are just two points off the top in the Western Conference. With everything still to play for, Cherundolo paid tribute to his team’s resolve so far in 2024.

“We work hard on the training pitch. A good defensive structure, an organized defensive structure sets you up automatically for counterattacks if you’re in the right spots. That takes tactical discipline. That takes a lot of work on the training field.”

For such a young team, LAFC’s winning mentality is truly remarkable. Inter Miami and LA Galaxy may currently lead their respective conferences but neither team boasts a recent history like the Black and Gold. LAFC can book their first final of the season with a victory over Colorado Rapids on Wednesday night, and it may not be their last.