Denis Bouanga is helping LAFC lead FC Cincinnati to secure a playoff spot

Denis Bouanga's second-half goal led Los Angeles FC to a 2-1 victory over FC Cincinnati on Saturday night and secured the Black and Gold a spot in the MLS Cup playoffs.

David Martinez scored the other goal for LAFC (15-8-7, 52 points), which won an MLS game for the first time since a 3-0 win at Seattle on July 20. The victory ended a five-game winless streak.

Luca Orellano scored the lone goal for Cincinnati (17-9-5, 56 points), stopping its unbeaten streak at four (2-0-2).

Bouanga gave LAFC a 2-1 lead in the 73rd minute when he fired his right-footed shot from a tight angle past goalkeeper Roman Celentano and scored his 18th goal of the season.

The French striker remains second in the race for the MLS Golden Boot, trailing only DC United's Christian Benteke.

Orellano equalized in the 61st minute. His shot from just outside the penalty area deflected off Kei Kamara and went past Hugo Lloris for his tenth goal of the season. With his assist, Luciano Acosta equalized his goal contributions from last season (31).

Martinez opened the scoring for the Black and Gold in the 34th minute, picking up Lewis O'Brien's cross and firing a deflected shot past a diving Celentano for his third goal of the season.

LAFC had some good chances early on.

In the 14th minute, Celentano blocked Cristian Olivera's left-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area.

Then, four minutes later, Martinez's shot from the left side of the penalty area hit wide to the right.

LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo celebrated his 50th career regular-season win on Saturday.

The third meeting of all time between the two teams took place on Saturday. LAFC won both previous games – 2-0 in Los Angeles in 2019 and 2-1 in Cincinnati in 2022.

–Field level media