TITLE: Denis Bouanga Scores 3rd-Fastest Hat Trick in MLS History, Earns Player of the Matchday
Los Angeles Football Club forward Denis Bouanga dominated Matchday 6 with an eight-minute hat trick, leading LAFC to a 6-0 win over Orlando City and earning the MLS Player of the Matchday honor. The Gabon international tallied three goals in the 20th, 23rd, and 28th minutes and added an assist, making him the second-fastest hat trick scorer in regular-season history behind only Josef Martínez.
Bouanga’s performance helped LAFC remain the only unbeaten team in the 2026 MLS season. The Black & Gold lead the league with 16 points, a +14 goal differential, and have yet to allow a goal in six games. That makes them the first club in MLS history to go six matches without conceding a goal in the regular season.
The 28-year-old forward now has five regular-season hat tricks, placing him second all-time behind Martínez. Bouanga has also earned the Player of the Matchday award five times, ranking third among active players behind Lionel Messi (13) and Hany Mukhtar (8). His latest performance solidifies his status as one of the league’s most dangerous attackers.
The win over Orlando was a statement, with LAFC outshooting their opponents 21-2 and scoring six times. Bouanga’s early scoring burst set the tone and overwhelmed the Lions’ defense. His impact on the field was immediate and decisive, helping his team secure a dominant result.
LAFC will look to continue their impressive start when they host LIGA MX side Cruz Azul on Tuesday in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal (10 PM ET | FS2, TUDN). They’ll return to MLS action on Saturday with a road match against the Portland Timbers (4:30 PM ET | Apple TV, FOX).
The MLS Player of the Matchday is selected each matchday through a combination of media and fan voting. A panel of North American Soccer Reporters accounts for 75% of the vote, with Instagram fan voting making up the remaining 25%.
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