Denis Bouanga scored three first-half goals to take over the MLS scoring lead and Los Angeles FC earned a playoff spot with a convincing 5–1 victory over visiting Minnesota United on Wednesday, Oct. 4.
Bouanga scored in the sixth and 36th minutes as well as the first minute of first-half stoppage time as LAFC (13–10–9, 48 points) found the back of the goal for the first time in five matches across all competitions. It was the first first-half hat trick in the regular season in LAFC history.
