Quakes v LAFC (2-4): Son Delivers and Bouanga Makes Club History in Front of Record Crowd

Photography by Andrea Kwon

There is a unique gratification when an international A-lister arrives to the humble domestic upstart that is the MLS and actually lives up to the tremendous expectations and fanfare. So it was no surprise the crowd at Levi's Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13, erupted into glee when Korean national and Spurs icon Heung-min Son scored in just 53 seconds to give LAFC the lead against host team San Jose Earthquakes.

The goal occurred after a poor pass from Quakes' captain Cristian Espinoza was rapidly turned into a counterattack and LAFC left back Artem Smoliakov found Son unmarked in the box for a simple tap-in.

Not only has Son massively boosted ticket and jersey sales for club and league (his was the highest-selling jersey across all sports globally upon his LAFC transfer), but on-field he has contributed two goals and one assist in the five games he has played with the Black and Gold. Throughout the match, he could frequently be seen making 100-yard sprints at the opponent's keeper and backline, a thankless gesture that shows his commitment to gaining any advantage, however minute, for his new team.

Although a home game for the Quakes, a large portion of the 50, 978 fans that poured into Santa Clara that afternoon can be attributed to diehard Son fans, including fellow countrymen and women making the trek to watch a national hero play live.

The fireworks continued over the next 10 minutes, as prolific LAFC attacker Denis Bouanga scored just 8 minutes later in an extraordinary solo goal the commentators described as "painfully easy." A few minutes after, LAFC's Sergi Palencia capitalized on a Quakes' giveaway and found Bouanga down the line, who then chipped Brazilian goalkeeper Daniel, making it a cool 3-0 for LAFC.

"I have to accept the responsibility that we have two of our better players in Arango and Espinoza turning the ball over right in the opening minute of the game that helped create their goal," said Earthquakes' manager Bruce Arena. "I'm quite surprised at the way we stepped on the field in the opening minutes of the game."

"I'm hungry for more goals ..." -Denis Bouanga

After the initial shock, the Black and Blue seemed to pick up steam, pulling one back at 18' after former LAFC frontman Chicho Arango threaded his way through multiple LAFC defenders to find Preston Judd for a close-range strike past French keeper Hugo Lloris.

Going into the second half, the Quakes dominated possession as LAFC appeared content with playing a conservative low block with some break-out runs from Bouanga. Despite several promising chances at goal, including a pair of dangerous free kicks, the Earthquakes were not quite lethal enough in the final third.

At 86', Palencia fought for and won a long ball against Quakes centerback Nkosi Tafari, and slotted a cross to Bouanga, who finished for a hat trick on the night.

This is Bouanga's second hat trick in 11 days, his previous one in a World Cup qualifying match for Gabon against Seychelles. The goal also ties the lethal left-footer with MLS legend Carlos Vela for all-time goals for the club.

"I'm hungry for more goals," said Bouanga after the game. "My team helps me a lot, and I really love football."

The Quakes finished the scoresheet with a 90-minute own goal from Palencia after a near-spectacular bicycle from Josef Martinez.

Both teams will be looking to solidify their place in the playoffs, with the Earthquakes currently in the 9th and final playoff slot in the Western Conference, with four games to go. LAFC are currently in fifth place behind Seattle Sounders and will hope to clinch a top-four spot for home-field advantage. They have seven games to go.

Up Next:

• San Jose Earthquakes v St. Louis City 9/20 (Home)

• LAFC v Real Salt Lake 9/17 (Away)