LOS ANGELES — In a pivotal match on Friday night, Mateusz Bogusz netted a crucial goal early in the second half, leading Los Angeles FC to a 1-0 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps and securing their spot in the next round of the MLS Cup playoffs.

The game remained scoreless until the 62nd minute when Bogusz, capitalizing on an assist from defender Aaron Long, struck a left-footed shot from the center of the box to break the deadlock. This goal marked Bogusz’s inaugural postseason score, coming in his eighth appearance in the playoffs. Additionally, Long’s assist was noteworthy as it was his first in 17 appearances, including ten with the New York Red Bulls before joining LAFC.

Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris had a solid performance for LAFC, making two saves—one in each half. This match marked Lloris’s third playoff start since joining the Western Conference champions, with the seasoned keeper having allowed four goals in the preceding two matches of the series.

For the Whitecaps, Yohei Takaoka managed to make one save during his fifth postseason start over the last two seasons as the eighth-seeded team. Despite the loss, Takaoka showcased his skills, but it wasn’t enough to change the outcome of the match.

This victory also marks a continued trend for LAFC, who eliminated Vancouver from last year’s playoffs as well, achieving a first-round sweep on their way to capturing the conference championship.