Mateusz Bogusz scores hat trick in LAFC’s victory over Rapids
Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga, left, controls the ball against the Colorado Rapids during the second half of an MLS match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga, left, kicks the ball chase by Colorado Rapids defender Sam Vines during the first half of an MLS match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, June 29, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Eduard Atuesta kicks the ball against the Colorado Rapids during the second half of an MLS match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
A fan cheers after Los Angeles FC scores a goal against the Colorado Rapids during the second half of an MLS match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC defender Sergi Palencia, left, vies for the ball again Colorado Rapids defender Sam Vines during the first half of an MLS match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, June 29, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Mateusz Bogusz, right, chases the ball down defended by Colorado Rapids midfielder Cole Bassett, middle, during the first half of an MLS match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, June 29, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris kicks the ball against the Colorado Rapids during the first half of an MLS match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, June 29, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Kei Kamara moves the ball against the Colorado Rapids during the second half of an MLS match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward David Martínez, right, dribbles the ball against the Colorado Rapids during the second half of an MLS match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC defender Maxime Chanot, left, vies for the ball with Colorado Rapids forward Darren Yapi during the second half of an MLS match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Mateusz Bogusz, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Colorado Rapids during the first half of an MLS match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, June 29, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Mateusz Bogusz, bottom left front, scores a goal past Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen during the second half of an MLS match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Mateusz Bogusz celebrates after scoring goal against the Colorado Rapids during the second half of an MLS match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Mateusz Bogusz kicks the bal for a goal against the Colorado Rapids during the second half of an MLS match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Los Angeles FC won 3-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LOS ANGELES — Mateusz Bogusz is delivering at an MVP level.
The 22-year-old Polish winger’s hat-trick on Saturday gave him nine straight league games with goal contributions, and, as it happens, propelled the Los Angeles Football Club to its ninth straight MLS result — a 3-0 domination of the Colorado Rapids giving the Black & Gold 25 of the last 27 available points.
Bogusz’s in-form play tied him with the reigning Landon Donovan MLS MVP Luciano Acosta, who contributed the same tally in the spring for FC Cincinnati. It also tied Bogusz for the stop spot with LAFC players in that category, matching Carlos Vela during the Mexican’s MVP season of 2019.
Coming off a pair of goals and an assist last weekend, Bogusz’s game-winner in the 20th minute pushed him to a career high 10 goals in 2024. He added a second near the hour mark and pushed it to three in the 72nd minute.
To a standing ovation from an announced crowd of 22,019, Bogusz exited the contest shortly thereafter.
As has been the case since LAFC (12-4-4, 40 points) rebounded from early-season struggles to find itself atop spot in the Western Conference after last weekend’s 6-2 rout of San Jose, the connection between Bogusz and French winger Denis Bouanga has been too much for opponents to handle.
Against the Rapids (9-8-4, 31 points), which entered the match 4th in the conference after three consecutive wins, Bogusz roofed his first goal off a sharp cross along the six-yard box by Bouanga.
For last year’s MLS Golden Boot winner it marked his ninth assist, five of which set up Bogusz.
A blocked shot off the foot of Bouanga offered the versatile Bogusz a chance in the 58th minute, and he made the most of it, beating Colorado goalkeeper Zack Steffen through traffic with his left foot.
When Rapids forward Kévin Cabral received a second yellow card in the 62nd minute, the visitors were reduced to 10 men for the remainder of the match.
Players aren’t allowed to earn assists on the goals they score, but Bogusz probably deserved one on his third of the night.
Feeding Timothy Tillman in the attacking third of the field, Bogusz darted toward the Rapids box. Tillman passed the ball ahead to Kei Kamara, whose soft touch to Bogusz freed the attacker for a right-footed blast that rendered Steffen helpless.
The outcome sets up a showdown on July 4th at the Rose Bowl between the top two teams in the conference. The L.A. Galaxy, which like LAFC has 40 points, is technically second in the conference because they have one fewer win than their El Trafico rival.
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