LAFC defeats Vancouver 1-0 in Match 3 of first round of MLS Cup Playoffs, advance to semifinals against Seattle

On a cool Friday night at BMO Stadium, LAFC showed why they’re built for moments like these. The atmosphere was charged, the stakes high, and in a 1-0 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps, it was Mateusz Bogusz who delivered the knockout blow, propelling LAFC to the Western Conference semifinals and a date with the Seattle Sounders.

The final match of this best-of-three first-round series was, as LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo put it, “a chess match.”

Both teams knew one slip could end their season. From the outset, LAFC came out swinging, pushing the Whitecaps on their heels. Denis Bouanga, who’s been lighting up scoreboards all year with 20 regular-season goals, had fans holding their breath in the eighth minute as he drove a shot just wide, brushing the side-netting. It was a sign of intent from LAFC and a signal to Vancouver that they weren’t here to play nice.

Vancouver, however, showed resilience. They’d come into the game with confidence after a convincing 3-0 win in Game 2 and weren’t going down without a fight.

The Whitecaps had their moments, particularly through Brian White. Twice, White came close to cracking Hugo Lloris’s goal — the first attempt smothered by the French legend, the second skimming wide of the post. As halftime arrived, the score remained locked, and the tension in BMO Stadium was palpable.

“Defensively, it's really important to be solid. We have to rely on that. We give energy to the team," said Lloris. "I still don’t think we produced the performance we wanted tonight. Especially in the first half.”

Cherundolo knew something had to change. Early in the second half, he shifted tactics, bringing on French icon Olivier Giroud, whose mere presence seemed to breathe new life into the LAFC attack. Giroud, known for his ability to turn the tide with one clinical finish, immediately put the Whitecaps' defense on high alert.

"That’s a really difficult team to beat. It’s not an easy matchup," said Cherundolo of Vancouver. "At halftime, our message to the guys is it’s 0-0, and we’re not sure Vancouver can play much better, but we can. Everything changed in the second half. Taking away the numerical advantage in the midfield it made all the difference for us. It was only a matter of time before we scored the first goal."

That matter of time came in the 62nd minute, Bogusz seized the moment. With a quick cut into open space, he positioned himself perfectly to receive a pass and unleashed a strike that left Vancouver’s keeper rooted to the spot. The ball whipped into the net, and LAFC fans erupted, the noise bouncing off every corner of the stadium. Bogusz’s goal wasn’t just the game-winner — it was a statement that LAFC, seasoned from back-to-back MLS Cup appearances, knew how to finish a playoff battle.

“I’m very happy with my goal. It was my first one in the playoffs," said Bogusz of his goal. "It happened so quickly. I didn’t even think, I just reacted and you know how it finished.”

From there, it was all about control. LAFC’s defense, with Lloris marshaling the backline, kept Vancouver at bay. The Whitecaps, frustrated and running out of ideas, couldn’t find an answer. When the final whistle blew, LAFC had claimed a hard-earned victory and, with it, the series.

"The defensive effort was amazing tonight. Throughout this whole series, and this playoffs, we know if we put up a zero we have a good chance of winning," said defender and captain Aaron Long. "Keeping that zero in the back is huge for our confidence and we know it will win us games."

Now, Seattle awaits in a single-elimination conference semifinal that promises to be an epic clash. The Sounders, having brushed past Houston in two straight matches decided by penalty kicks, are primed and ready. LAFC and Seattle have shared no shortage of history, and with players like Giroud, Bouanga, and Lloris anchoring LAFC’s lineup, the Black & Gold are equipped for another deep run.

This series showed why LAFC remains one of the league’s most dangerous postseason teams. They’ve been to six finals over the past three years, winning the MLS Cup in 2022 and narrowly losing it in 2023.

They’re a team used to pressure, and as Cherundolo noted, they’ve got the experience and “mechanisms” to handle the challenges. Players like Lloris and Giroud, though new to MLS, have been through their share of high-stakes tournaments, from World Cups to European Championships, and their presence is bolstering LAFC’s already stacked roster.

Friday’s victory doesn’t just mark another step toward a potential third straight MLS Cup appearance; it underscores LAFC’s reputation as a club built for playoff drama, where every move is calculated, and every goal is golden.

Seattle may be next on the list, but make no mistake — LAFC is ready for whatever comes their way.