Denis Bouanga's goal was enough; LAFC is keeping pace in the race for the top seed

Denis Bouanga's goal in first-half stoppage time lifted Los Angeles FC to a 1-0 win over visiting St. Louis City on Wednesday night.

The Black and Gold (16-8-7, 55 points) have now won two consecutive MLS games after earning a 2-1 win over FC Cincinnati last Saturday, ending a winless run of five league games.

With the win, LAFC remains undefeated against St. Louis City (3-0-1). The Black and Gold are six points behind the first-place Los Angeles Galaxy in the race for the top spot in the Western Conference. LAFC has three games remaining while the Galaxy have two to play.

St. Louis (7-12-13, 34 points), eliminated from MLS Cup playoff contention, saw its two-game winning streak end.

Olivier Giroud thought he had doubled LAFC's lead in the 55th minute by firing the ball past goalkeeper Benjamin Lundt and firing a shot into the open goal, but it was ruled that Giroud started from an offside position.

Bouanga almost scored his second goal in the 72nd minute with a one-time cross, but Lundt was able to save the ball.

Although St. Louis controlled possession in the first half, LAFC had their only four shots on goal in the first 45 minutes.

Bouanga opened the scoring in the first minute of first-half stoppage time, firing his right-footed shot from the top of the box past Lundt for the 19th time this season. The French striker trails only DC United's Christian Benteke (22 goals) in the MLS Golden Boot race.

After ten minutes, LAFC had a great chance. Omar Campos sent a cross to Cristian Olivera, but the midfielder shot his header just wide.

Then, in the 18th minute, Mateusz Bogusz's shot from just outside the penalty area deflected off Giroud and went wide.

Bouanga had a chance in the 26th minute with clever footwork in the penalty area, but Lundt saved his left-footed shot.

LAFC earned a 2-0 victory in St. Louis on May 15, the clubs' only other meeting this season.

–Field level media