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Tuesday evening at the BMO Stadium started out with the second leg against Philadelphia Union in a 1-1 tie but LAFC with the away goal lead. The game started strong on both ends until the 12th minute when midfielder, Ilie Sánchez headed the ball into the goal and Philadelphia’a goalkeeper, Andre Jason Blake made an incredible reflex save but was cleaned up by Timothy Tillman who was quick to respond to the cleanup and smashed it into the back of the net giving Blake no chance to make the save.
Philadelphia put a fight and had some opportunities in the first half but nothing too threatening for John McCarthy and LAFC. There was a questionable head butt from Philadelphia’s defender Olivier Mbaizo who fouled an LAFC player and got into an altercation in the process near the end of the first half. The intention to the head butt could have easily been a red card but luckily for Philadelphia, he was given a yellow.
With the second half starting with LAFC in the lead, the momentum continued for the local team and with the support of a few substitute players that included Kwadwo Opoku and Denil Maldonado. Opoku brought energy and intense work ethic for LAFC in the second half that did not go unnoticed. In a chance at attack for LAFC, Bouanga took two players on and had them beat. One of those players included Philadelphia Olivier Mbaizo who fouled the LAFC forward and received a red card, putting Philadelphia Union a player down for the rest of the game.
Although, LAFC was playing a man up they were still being conservative and patient to attack. it wasn’t until the 81st minute when LAFC Opoku got a ball to this left foot and perfectly placed it into the goal. LAFC leading 2-0 (overall 3-1). LAFC continued the intensity and forward Bouanaga did what he does best, when he received a through ball from Opoku and slid one more goal in the 89th minute. Securing the game and resulting to a final score of 3-0 (4-1 overall).
LAFC will play the final against the winner of Wednesday night‘s game who consist of Tigres UANL and Leon that will be held in two legs on 31 May and 4 June.