LOS ANGELES — In a thrilling season opener, Jeremy Ebobisse marked his debut with a goal in the 78th minute, leading Los Angeles FC (LAFC) to a 1-0 triumph over Minnesota United FC. This victory kept LAFC’s impressive streak alive, as they have now won all eight of their MLS season openers.
Hugo Lloris was crucial in maintaining the clean sheet, making two important saves that complemented his growing tally of 13 shutouts with the club. LAFC’s record now stands at an unblemished 8-0-0 in both season and home openers.
Dominating possession throughout the match, LAFC restricted Minnesota to no shots on target until late in the game. The breakthrough came when Denis Bouanga launched a counterattack and passed to Nathan Ordaz, who set up Ebobisse. The forward executed a superb left-footed strike into the far corner, outsmarting goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair with precision.
The best chance for Minnesota arose in the 88th minute when Sang Bin Jeong found room at the top of the penalty area. However, his attempt hit the crossbar after possibly being affected by a Lloris challenge.
Ebobisse joined LAFC this past December as a free agent, looking to achieve silverware after a stint with San Jose and Portland that spanned eight seasons. His signing is one of several significant changes for the team, which saw three of last season’s top four scorers depart despite finishing first in the Western Conference and winning the U.S. Open Cup.
After their playoff disappointment against Seattle, LAFC’s archrival, the LA Galaxy, went on to clinch their sixth MLS Cup title without having to encounter LAFC in the postseason. Although LAFC has excelled in points, victories, and goals since its entrance into the league in 2018, the team remains hungry for additional trophies, having only claimed the MLS Cup in 2022. Following the playoff exit, notable players Mateusz Bogusz, Cristian Olivera, and Eduard Atuesta were released, leaving a designated player spot open as they reportedly attempt to lure French star Antoine Griezmann to the club in the summer.
Minnesota had their share of opportunities early on. In the 13th minute, Kelvin Yeboah struck the post following a spirited run, and he sent another chance wide shortly after. LAFC’s David Martínez had a notable moment before halftime, as he was not awarded a penalty after a promising run in the box. Bouanga also failed to convert during a goal-line run just before the whistle blew for halftime.
Olivier Giroud, who came on as a late substitute, had a prime opportunity to net his first league goal for LAFC. However, he was unable to find the back of the net with a clear shot, having only joined the team last summer and previously scoring exclusively in cup competitions. It appeared that fatigue from a demanding season with AC Milan and participation in the European Championships hindered his performance.
