Player ratings as Black and Gold dominate to reach Leagues Cup final

Denis Bouanga scored for the fourth consecutive match while Ryan Hollingshead grabbed a pair of assists in LAFC’s dominant 4-0 triumph over Colorado Rapids to reach the Leagues Cup final.

As Columbus Crew toppled Philadelphia Union 3-1 in their semi-final clash, the winner of LAFC vs Colorado knew that they would be on the road in the final at Lower.com Field with silverware on the line.

Both sides created a few half-chances during the first half, and it appeared as if neither team wold be able to find the breakthrough with halftime approaching. However, that changed when LAFC center-back Jesus Murillo found himself at the top of the Colorado penalty area with plenty of time and space to pick out Mateusz Bogusz on the left.

The Poland international took a touch before cutting in on his right foot to curl in an effort past former Manchester City goalkeeper Zack Steffen to put the hosts 1-0 up. Steffen probably should’ve done better to keep the strike out as Bogusz was off celebrating with the fans at BMO Stadium.

The Black and Gold extended their lead moments later when Bouanga played Ryan Hollingshead through down the left-hand side. The veteran full-back then played a pass back across the face of goal straight into Kei Kamara’s path, and the the 39-year-old striker made no mistake with a calm, first-time finish across the face of goal to double LAFC’s lead just before halftime.

LAFC began the second half like they ended the first half — putting up shots on Steffen’s goal, looking to build on their lead. Steve Cherundolo’s side did just that as Bouanga raced up the pitch from his own half to score his 12th career Leagues Cup goal and make it 3-0 in favor of the hosts. Hollingshead was credited with the assist after he took a brief touch on the ball before the Gabon international burst past just about everyone on the pitch to get in on the scoring.

The hosts weren’t done scoring, either, as new loan signing Lewis O’Brien got on the scoresheet after a swift move from LAFC. Omar Campos’ cross bounced off a Rapids defender before falling straight into O’Brien’s path, and the 25-year-old made it 4-0 with a left-footed strike to score his first goal for the team.

With the win, LAFC set-up a rematch of 2023 MLS Cup against Columbus at Lower.com Field as both teams have now qualified for next season’s CONCACAF Champions Cup. Colorado, on the other hand, can still clinch a spot in the continental tournament with a win over Philadelphia this weekend in the third place match.

GK: Hugo Lloris – 6/10 – Nearly gave the Rapids a goal early on after he was a little careless in possession. Wasn’t called to action much thanks to his backline standing tall.

CB: Jesus Murillo – 7/10 – Excellent in defense while showing off some playmaking abilities with an assist on Bogusz’s goal.

CB: Maxime Chanot – 7/10 – The veteran defender hardly put a foot wrong alongside Murillo to see out the result.

CB: Aaron Long – 6/10 – The player neither helped nor hindered his side.

RWB: Sergi Palencia – 6/10 – Palencia struggled to get into a rhythm on either end of the pitch as LAFC focused their efforts down the left-hand side.

CM: Ilie Sanchez – 6/10 – It wasn’t the most inspiring performance from the experienced midfielder but it was enough to help put his team in the driver’s seat while he was on the pitch.

CM: Eduard Atuesta – 7/10 – Atuesta was instrumental in everything LAFC were doing going forward as his quick passes and anticipation proved to be key once again.

LWB: Ryan Hollingshead – 9/10 – Hollingshead got involved in the final third for the third consecutive match with a brilliant assist to setup Kamara. Managed to grab a second assist before coming off in the second 45.

RW: Mateusz Bogusz – 7/10 – Arguably LAFC’s most versatile player, Bogusz opened the scoring with a curling effort that proved once again just how valuable he is to the team.

ST: Kei Kamara – 7/10 – The MLS journeyman wasn’t too involved in the match up until his tidy finish near the end of the first half.

LW: Denis Bouanga – 8/10 – The reigning MLS Golden Boot winner was denied an early goal after an great stop from Steffen and gave the Colorado backline fits with his electric pace and threat on the counter-attack.

Substitutes

SUB: Olivier Giroud (46′ for Kamara) – 6/10 – Had a few decent chances to open his LAFC account but just couldn’t find the back of the net.

SUB: Lewis O’Brien (64′ for Sanchez) – 7/10 – The defensive midfielder scored his first goal for LAFC with a brilliant finish from distance to add a little insurance for the team.

SUB: Omar Campos (64′ for Hollingshead) – 7/10 – Campos managed to grab the pre-assist for O’Brien’s strike as his cross deflected off a Colorado defender before finding his teammate.

SUB: Cristian Olivera (64′ for Bogusz) – 7/10 – The Uruguay international’s impressive run helped pave the way for O’Brien to score his first goal for LAFC.

SUB: Eddie Segura (76′ for Long) – N/A

Manager

Steve Cherundolo – 9/10 – LAFC looked like a well-oiled machine once again with their front three firing on all cylinders while the defense was impenetrable. The Black and Gold have looked the part for just about the entire tournament and they’ll be out for revenge when they take on the Crew in a rematch of last year’s MLS Cup — when Cherundolo’s team fell 2-1 on the road.