LAFC Oust Whitecaps, Punch Ticket to Conference Semifinals

Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga (99) kicks the ball against Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Ryan Raposo (27) during the second half of game two in a round one match of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs in Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN, on Nov. 5, 2023. Simon Fearn/USA TODAY Sports via Field Level Media

MLS Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga scored on a penalty kick in the 24th minute as Los Angeles FC defeated the host Vancouver Whitecaps 1–0 on Sunday night, Nov. 5, to sweep a best-of-three first-round Western Conference playoff series.

Third-seeded LAFC, the reigning MLS Cup champions, will face the winner of the FC Dallas-Seattle series in the conference semifinals.