Champions Cup Round of 16 Game-Changer: Denis Bouanga | OneFootball

MIAMI – The 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 saw Los Angeles FC advance to the quarterfinals for the third occasion in as many tries. Denis Bouanga was a Game-Changer for LAFC in its series against last year’s runners-up Columbus Crew.

The 30-year-old forward was key for the California side over 180 minutes to overcome a Columbus side that started its campaign in the Round of 16 by winning the Leagues Cup.

LAFC ultimately sealed the series 4-2 on aggregate, with Bouanga scoring three of the team’s four goals in the series. The Frenchman was instrumental with a brace in the team’s 3-nil first-leg win and a goal in the second leg to seal the series and extinguish any chance of extra time.

The Gabon international was a constant threat in attack, tallying a noteworthy 11 shots in the series and a Round of 16-high three goals. Bouanga is one of several players tied for second in the top scorer race, one behind Cruz Azul’s Ángel Sepúlveda.

Bouanga reached 10 goals all-time in the tournament, becoming the youngest non-American player to reach this milestone since the 2008/2009 season, at 30 years and 4 months old. He has now been directly involved in 14 goals (10 scored, 4 assists) in 12 career matches in the Concacaf Champions Cup.