The MLS has a collection of star players who have a knack for finding the back of the net. LAFC has one of, if not the best, at achieving this in the league, as one man has carried this team in the scoring department since his arrival.
Denis Bouanga deserves his flowers for what he has accomplished so far with LAFC, his talent gives not just his team positive attention, the league as well. the 30 year old Winger still has a lot of gas left in the tank as we look as we reflect on his career impact in the MLS so far.
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His Journey to the MLS
Bouanga made his debut in 2015 at only 20 years old for FC Lorient in France’s Ligue 1. This was stop one of many for the French-born winger. He bounced around the Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 after he showed promise after his first season, in which he scored 16 goals in Ligue 2.
His career didn’t take off after his age-21 season was as impressive as it was. He jumped from team to team until landing with Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1. His numbers didn’t jump off the page as he was only putting in seven-to-10-goal seasons.
Bouanga had a hard time finding a place to be consistent at due to constantly moving leagues and teams. Some players can jump around teams and even leagues without dropping any form of quality. Bouanga needed somewhere he could call him for the long run, as it seemed he may not find a place to play for longer than the typical one to two seasons.
Despite earning enough playing time to obtain good stats it never worked out for Bouanga in France in either league. He had moments that looked like he could break out into the player that he has become in the MLS, it didn’t happen until he left in 2022 for LAFC.
Breakout Season in LA
Bouanga found his offensive identity on the golden coast of California as he became a top scorer for the league’s top team.
His first full season with LAFC he achieved 20 goals, the most he has scored in a single season and the first time he achieved that feat at any level. He also had six assists to add on to his excellent goal scoring form from the wing.
He followed it up the next year with 20 goals for the second season in a row, as well as adding nine assists to his slate. The 2024 season was his very best with the most goal contributions in a single season in his career.
Bouanga became a club legend after being a key addition to LAFC as they won the title in his first season with the club in 2022. LAFC is a club that still has quality and expects itself to compete for hardware every season.
Bouanga is an important cog into the machine that is LAFC and their competitive nature. This season that sit at the table with Bouanga as key contributor.
His 13 goals and five assists have put him on pace to repeat his stats from last year or possibly even surpass them. Bouanga is a star in this league despite his struggles to reach his current form in better leagues.
The real question is, can Bouanga be the reason why LAFC makes a run to the MLS Cup?
Main Photo
Credit IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire
Recording Date 18.07.2025