Dénis Bouanga named MLS Player of the Matchday
Notching his second hat trick of the season, LAFC’s French-Gabonese forward was the undisputed star of Matchday 7.
Dénis Bouanga continued his astonishing start to the MLS season with a trio of stunning strikes against Austin FC.
LAFC’s Gabonese striker was given the MLS Player of the Matchday award after scoring a hat-trick to take his tally to six goals and two assists in just six league appearances.
The 28-year-old striker has become the early star of the season in MLS this year and has fired his side up to third in the table with a game in hand. If they win that game, they would leapfrog both St Louis and Seatle Sanders and into first place. LAFC are the only side in the Western Conference still unbeaten.
Bouanga hits form in the States
When Bouanga made the switch to LAFC last summer there were high expectations for the French-born attacker. He boasted more than 130 appearances in Ligue 1 and had scored 12 and assisted 7 in his final season in the French top flight.
He took some time to find his feet in MLS but scored the crucial mat-winning goal against Portland Timbers to win LAFC’s second Supporters’ Shield and lift his first trophy with the club. The team would go on to lift the MLS Cup and Bouanga’s influence has only grown.
In addition to the six goals and two assists in 6 MLS games, Bouanga has racked up another five goals and one assist in just three CONCACAF Champions League game. In total, the he has registered 11 goals and three assists in nine games this season.
“I don’t think there’s a lot of training with a player of Denis’ quality. The guy just scores,” said Steve Cherundolo after last weekend’s victory. “He is a threat in dribbling and he is a threat in crosses.”