Tamarit hails Bouanga as LAFC striker sparks Austin win

Bouanga delivers in Tamarit’s reshaped attack

Los Angeles FC interim coach Xavier Tamarit has praised Denis Bouanga for adapting to a central role after the forward helped end LAFC’s winless run with a 3-1 victory over Austin FC.

Bouanga scored twice on Wednesday, with Son Heung-min adding the other goal. The Gabon international had also scored in Tamarit’s first match in charge, a 1-1 draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps, as he began leading the line as LAFC’s lone striker.

“I’m very happy with Denis. I think he’s helping the team a lot,” Tamarit said. “He’s going out from his natural position and he’s, I think, giving us something that we didn’t have before.” He also credited the squad for working hard to carry out the new approach.

Bouanga has scored 17 goals in the 2026 MLS season. He said the Austin result was important for the confidence of the team, adding: “We need goals. We need passing. We have to be decisive, too. We need points.”

LAFC face NYCFC after contrasting midweek results

LAFC travel to face New York City FC on Saturday. NYCFC remain outside the Eastern Conference playoff places after losing 2-0 to Inter Miami during the week, and the match will be their first at home since a September 18 defeat to New York Red Bulls.

Both clubs arrive with concerns about consistency. LAFC have won once in 12 away matches in all competitions since the beginning of May, while NYCFC have recorded one victory in their last 13 matches in all competitions dating back to early August, according to the source report.

Son contributed a goal and two assists against Austin. The report puts his 2026 MLS season totals at 18 goals and 16 assists. It also notes Bouanga has recorded 17 regular-season multi-goal games in his MLS career, the fourth-most among active players in the competition.

The teams’ recent record points to a close contest: after their first two meetings ended in draws, each side won one of the next two, both played in Los Angeles. The report’s Opta win probabilities are 36.9% for NYCFC, 26.3% for a draw and 36.8% for LAFC.