LAFC and the Vancouver Whitecaps tied 1-1 at BMO Stadium on Saturday night. It was Xavi Tamarit's first match as LAFC's interim head coach, according to the club's recap on LAFC.com.
Vancouver came in leading the West and as the defending Western Conference champions, but it lost a player in the seventh minute. Center back Tristan Blackmon got a red card for denying Jacob Shaffelburg an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. Even with 10 men, the Whitecaps scored first. Oliver Larraz knocked in a rebound after LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris stopped his first close-range attempt.
Vancouver's halftime lead lasted only seconds. Denis Bouanga headed in a cross from right back Sergi Palencia in the 46th minute to tie it. LAFC.com reports it was Bouanga's 15th regular-season goal this year and his 80th in MLS.
LAFC kept creating chances after that. Bouanga had the ball in the net again in the 54th minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside. The draw leaves LAFC at 11W-9L-9D with 42 points, still sixth in the Western Conference with five regular-season matches left. The club is 17-10-13 in all competitions.
Summer signings Leo Walta and Thayllon Roberth made their MLS and LAFC debuts. Sergio Vásquez played his first match at BMO Stadium after debuting for LAFC in Dallas on September 26.
Next up, LAFC hosts Austin FC at BMO Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 14, for Hello Kitty Night. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT, and the match will be on Apple TV.