Sporting Kansas City became the first team to earn a road point against Los Angeles FC this season after Wednesday’s 1–1 draw, May 17.
The red-hot Denis Bouanga scored in the 13th minute to give LAFC (6–1–4, 22 points) an early lead, but Johnny Russell brought SKC (2–7–4, 10 points) level just seven minutes later.
Ryan Hollingshead appeared to restore Los Angeles’ lead in the 85th minute, but the would-be goal was called back after a video review. The video assistant referee determined that LAFC’s Nathan Ordaz was slightly offside during the lead-up to the play.
After scoring only three goals during a 10-game (0–7–3) winless streak to begin the season, Kansas City has rebounded for six goals and a 2–0–1 record in its last three games.
Los Angeles is 4–0–1 in five home games this season.
Sporting KC goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh stopped six of seven shots in his first start of the season, filling in for injured starter Tim Melia.
LAFC backup Eldin Jakupovic was also getting a rare start, stopping two of three shots. Regular goalkeeper John McCarthy didn’t play out of precaution over a possible shoulder injury.
Bouanga needed only 13 minutes to extend his scoring streak to four games, as the striker converted a cross from the corner of the box from Kwadwo Opoku. Bouganda has 10 goals in 11 games, with seven of those tallies coming in his last six games.
Sporting KC made a quick response on Russell’s equalizer. Russell took the ball into the box and, amidst two defenders, the veteran forward snuck a left-footed shot along the ground past Jakupovic.
It was Russell’s second goal of the season, and his 50th regular-season goal over his five-plus seasons with Sporting Kansas City.
Crew Strike Early, Never Look Back to Blank Galaxy
Goals in the first half by Lucas Zelarayan and Malte Amundsen were enough for the host Columbus Crew, as they ended a four-game winless streak with a 2–0 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy on Wednesday night.Patrick Schulte made two saves for his third shutout of the season for the Crew (5–4–3, 18 points), who were on a 0–2–2 stretch.
The Galaxy (2–7–3, nine points) fell to 2–3–0 in their past five games. They have not scored in their past five road contests.
Zelarayan, who did not play in the Crew’s 2–2 tie against Orlando City on Saturday, scored his fifth goal of the season in the 25th minute. Cucho Hernandez picked up his third assist in the past two games.
The Crew had been hunting for a goal with several good chances going awry, including a partial break by Hernandez that resulted in a weak chip shot that was easily stopped by Jonathan Bond.
This time, Hernandez sent a through ball to Zelarayan in stride down the left flank. Zelarayan cut back on Jalen Neal inside the box and fired a low shot past Bond.
Columbus took a two-goal lead into the break for the second match in a row when Amundsen scored in the 43rd minute.
Playing in his second match and making first start since being acquired from New York City FC on April 25, Amundsen shirked a defender and got his shoulder on a cross by Alexandru Matan to knock the ball across the line.
Columbus increased its league-leading, first-half goal total to 13.
Galaxy star forward Chicharito did not start because due to a heavy schedule. He entered in the 61st minute for leading scorer Dejan Jovelic, who has two goals his season.
This was the first meeting between the teams since a 3–1 home win for the Crew in May 2019.
Both teams play Saturday, with the Crew traveling downstate to play FC Cincinnati while Los Angeles is at D.C. United.
