LAFC and the league presented Denis Bouanga with the Golden Boot trophy for scoring the most goals during Major League Soccer‘s regular season.
Denis Bouanga, the Gabonese star who arrived in the league last year, achieved this distinction by netting an impressive 20 goals, outshining his competitors in a tight race that extended to the last day of the MLS regular season.
Bouanga’s remarkable performance placed him ahead of Luciano Acosta from FC Cincinnati (17 goals) and Giorgos Giakoumakis from Atlanta United (17 goals), earning him the prestigious accolade.
2023 was a year of ups and downs for his club, with the LA team now vying for a second MLS Cup in a row as Denis and LAFC enter the MLS Cup playoff race. With that, we gathered some of the most iconic moments of the season for Bouanga, who also showed his prowess during the CCL and Leagues Cup.
April 11, 2023 | LAFC vs Vancouver Whitecaps | CCL
Earlier in the year, with LAFC flying high in the Concacaf Champions League, Denis and his team took on the LAFC’s now first-round MLS Cup playoff opponent, Vancouver Whitecaps, this time in the CCL, and showed up big time to take the series 6-0 after two games.
That came after 99 ended up with a brace away at BC Place in Canada, scoring 10 minutes apart, to give LAFC a 2-0 lead in the second half.
At home during the second game, playing with a 3-0 advantage, the Gabonese athlete had a quiet night, but his team advanced to play Philly in the semifinals.
Overall, during the five games this season, the result vs. Vancouver has been excellent: besides the success in CCL, Denis also scored in both regular season games, including the tie during Decision Day.
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April 16, 2023 | LA Galaxy vs LAFC | MLS
It’s a week to remember for any LAFC fan, with the team entering the LA Galaxy’s stadium and setting the tone against the rival early in the season.
Once again, LAFC would win the game without much contribution from Bouanga and a brace from Carlos Vela.
May 02, 2023 | LAFC vs Philadelphia Union | CCL
After a tie away in Philadelphia, LAFC would host the Union for a rematch of the last year’s MLS Cup Finals. Denis Bouanga seemed electrified throughout the game.
Bouanga is an underrated defender, constantly challenging wingers attacking down the flanks. With both coaches watching the play, he was cautioned after a hard tackle on left back Kai Wagner, who advanced dangerously through the left.
It wouldn’t matter. With the Union playing down a man, Denis would find the back of the net during the 90th minute, the goal that would send LAFC to another CCL Finals, this time against Leon, from Liga MX.
June 21, 2023 | LAFC vs Seattle Sounders | MLS
The Sounders were in town for a very close game, in which LAFC ended up winning 1-0, courtesy of a 1-minute goal from midfielder Mateus Bogusz.
With LAFC and Seattle positioned in the bottom of the MLS playoff bracket, this could be the matchup deciding who will travel to St. Louis, the favorite to advance to the top of the West bracket. St. Louis plays at home until the end of the Western Conference Finals.
The Gabonese has not played well against Seattle in two games: no goals. Denis played only 63 minutes in LA before being subbed by Stipe Biuk.
The team did not know how to find spaces to create and give Denis the ball in scoring positions.
July 12, 2023 | LAFC vs St. Louis | MLS
Denis didn’t score against St. Louis, but had one assist during LAFC’s win at home 3-0 vs. the expansion side from Missouri.
In St Louis, the result was another disappointing 0-0, with the California team struggling to create chances versus an outstanding defense and team that plays well in front of its home crowd.
August 2, 2023 | LAFC vs Puebla | Leagues Cup
Denis Bouanga would shine in the second half of this Leagues Cup matchup, scoring a hat trick at 52, 66 and 78 minutes. The game’s first two goals came from Ryan Hollingshead and Carlos Vela. The final score 7 – 1 after a 2 – 1 halftime.
August 11, 2023 | LAFC vs Monterrey | Leagues Cup
Denis Bouanga’s game at the Rose Bowl vs. Monterrey is a tale of two halves. With Denis scoring early (PK) and Bogusz adding to LAFC’s tally, the Black and Gold commanded a 2-0 lead at halftime before falling apart to the Liga MX side in the second half, succumbing to 3 goals in the last 30 minutes of play.
Visibly frustrated, the Golden Boot winner played the entire game yet couldn’t help his team find the back of the net again to allow the game to go to penalty kicks.
September 3, 2023 | LAFC vs Inter Miami | MLS
With the chance to play Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup gone, Boaunga would line up against Lionel Messi and friends during the regular season. A game attended by the rich and famous and everyone else who felt a pink jersey was appropriate for the game.
It was not a great game from Denis or LAFC’s offense. Inter Miami would win the game 3-1, with Bouanga registering seven shots, three on target, and 2 blocked but no goals or assists as Inter Miami kept its playoff hopes alive with a big win away.
Boaunga’s impact on LAFC is easy to spot. Just in the regular season, when Denis gets on the board, the team typically doesn’t lose: only two losses in 13 games, he found the back of the net.
September 16, 2023 | LAFC vs LA Galaxy | MLS
What was the last El Trafico of the year and one of Denis’s most efficient games at LAFC: 2 shots and two goals for the Gabonese star who, in one year, has taken LAFC by storm, supplementing Carlos Vela and Chicho Arango as LAFC’s most prolific scorer and player this season.
“Against the Galaxy, we knew we had to win in that form against the LA Galaxy. It was really important to play well and to win the game right away,” said Denis after the match.
Cover: Celso Oliveira / TMLS
Photos: Celso Oliveira / TMLS