The stage is set at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, where Los Angeles FC will host Toronto FC on Wednesday night for the Black & Gold’s final regular-season home match. It’s more than just another game on the calendar—it’s a crucial fixture for LAFC, who have clinched homefield advantage for the first round of the MLS playoffs but are still chasing the elusive top seed in the Western Conference. With three games left in the regular season and a five-match winning streak under their belts, LAFC is brimming with confidence, but the challenge ahead is anything but ordinary.
For the first time this season, LAFC must navigate a pivotal stretch without their two most prolific scorers: Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-Min. Both are away on international duty, as are teammates Mathieu Choiniere and Nathan Ordaz. The timing couldn’t be more dramatic—Bouanga’s 86th-minute strike on Sunday not only secured a 1-0 victory over Atlanta United, but also tied him with Lionel Messi atop the MLS Golden Boot standings with 24 goals. Bouanga and Son have combined for the club’s last 18 goals, and Bouanga’s tally marked his 65th goal in 100 appearances for LAFC. That’s a legacy in the making!
“I fully trust the team,” Bouanga remarked after Sunday’s win. “With or without us, we’re going to make it and carry on.” His words encapsulate the spirit in the LAFC camp—a belief that, even shorthanded, the squad can keep their momentum rolling. Head coach Steve Cherundolo echoed that sentiment, saying, “We have plenty of players who can fill the void and show that they can help this team. I’m really looking forward to seeing some of those performances on Wednesday.”
So, who steps up in the absence of the stars? Cherundolo has options, mentioning Jeremy Ebobisse, David Martínez, Timmy Tillman, Andy Moran, and Yaw Yeboah as potential difference-makers. Recent signings Alex Băluță and Jailson may also be in line for their MLS debuts, adding a layer of intrigue to the lineup. “Our primary focus right now is to get three points against Toronto. We will throw everything at Austin after that, but for now it’s all about Toronto,” said Cherundolo, underscoring the match’s importance in the playoff race.
LAFC enters the contest with a 16-7-8 record and 56 points, sitting fourth in the Western Conference. A victory over Toronto would leapfrog them past Minnesota United into third place, with a game in hand over both the Loons and first-place San Diego FC. The team’s recent form has been nothing short of impressive: five straight wins by a combined 16-4 scoreline, and two consecutive shutouts. At home, LAFC boasts a formidable 10-4-2 record, scoring 61 goals and conceding just 37—a robust +24 goal differential that speaks to their balance on both sides of the ball.
Defensively, LAFC has been rock-solid, allowing only 16 shots on goal over their five-match win streak and no more than four in any single game. They haven’t conceded in their last 256 minutes of play, and with Hugo Lloris—one of just two MLS goalkeepers with 10 or more clean sheets in each of the past two seasons—anchoring the back line, the club’s defensive discipline could be the key to weathering the absence of their attacking stars.
On the flip side, Toronto FC arrives in Los Angeles with a very different narrative. The Reds have been eliminated from playoff contention and haven’t tasted victory since July 16, when they edged out San Diego 1-0. Since then, Toronto has played to eight consecutive draws, setting a new MLS record for the longest tie streak. Their most recent outing saw them claw back for a dramatic 2-2 draw at Chicago, courtesy of Djordje Mihailovic’s stoppage-time equalizer in the 100th minute. Mihailovic, who joined Toronto from the Colorado Rapids in August, has quickly become a stabilizing force, contributing two goals and three assists in his first eight matches with the club.
“You try to have the team system and mentality ingrained in such a way that it’s plug and play,” Toronto head coach Robin Fraser explained. “Obviously, you miss some real experience with some of these guys—all three, actually—but we have a lot of good, young players.” Fraser will be without Jonathan Osorio and Richie Laryea (both on international duty with Canada) and Derrick Etienne Jr. (representing Haiti), further testing Toronto’s depth.
Toronto’s struggles this season have been most evident in the attack. The club has managed just 33 goals in 32 games, the second-fewest in MLS, but their defense—anchored by centerback Jack Elliott and veteran goalkeeper Sean Johnson—has been far more respectable. Toronto has allowed only 40 goals, the fifth-fewest in the league, and Johnson, a 15-year MLS veteran, is enjoying one of his finest seasons with just 37 goals conceded in 29 starts.
The Reds’ top scorer, Theodor Corbeanu, leads the way with six goals, while Mihailovic and Osorio have chipped in three assists apiece. Former LAFC midfielder Jose Cifuentes, who was integral to LAFC’s 2022 MLS Cup triumph, has started four straight matches for Toronto since arriving on loan from Rangers FC. Toronto’s road form, however, leaves much to be desired: a 3-6-7 record and a 2-7 mark in games decided by a single goal. In their last 10 games, Toronto is winless at 0-2-8, averaging just 0.8 goals per match.
This will be the first meeting of the season between LAFC and Toronto FC, and while the teams’ trajectories couldn’t be more different, both sides have plenty to prove. For LAFC, it’s about demonstrating that their depth can deliver under pressure and keeping their playoff hopes for a top seed alive. For Toronto, it’s a chance to play spoiler and perhaps finally convert one of their many draws into a morale-boosting win.
As the action unfolds under the lights at BMO Stadium, all eyes will be on the supporting cast to see who rises to the occasion. With playoff positioning and pride on the line, and a host of fresh faces eager to make their mark, Wednesday’s clash promises drama, intensity, and perhaps a few surprises. One thing’s for sure—neither side is backing down, and the MLS regular season is saving some of its best storylines for the final stretch.
With the match set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. PT, the anticipation is palpable. LAFC fans will be hoping their team can keep the winning streak alive and take a giant step toward postseason glory, while Toronto looks to break their draw streak and end the campaign on a high note. The outcome remains up in the air, but the stakes couldn’t be higher as both teams prepare for a pivotal night in Los Angeles.
