Mateusz Bogusz scored in the opening minute and host Los Angeles FC made it hold up for a 1-0 victory against the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday night.
Goalkeeper John McCarthy made two saves for LAFC (9-3-5, 32 points), which won its second straight match and moved into sole possession of first place in the Western Conference as previous co-leader St. Louis City SC lost 3-1 to Real Salt Lake.
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Seattle (8-7-4, 28 points) saw its winless streak reach four matches (0-2-2) but remained in third place in the conference.
Bogusz scored just before the clock reached the 1-minute mark. He got the ball just inside his own half and played a give-and-go with Kwadwo Opoku at midfield before dribbling about 30 yards down the middle of the field. Bogusz’s 25-yard shot deflected off defender Jackson Ragen and fell just inside the right post, just out of the reach of a diving Sounders goalie Stefan Frei.
It appeared LAFC had doubled its advantage in the 76th minute as Jose Cifuentes headed a free kick from Bogusz into the net, but a video review determined the ball went off Cifuentes’ left hand after he struck it with his head, nullifying the goal.
McCarthy made both of his saves midway through the first half, both off shots from Seattle’s Raul Ruidiaz.
The first, in the 22nd minute, came after the Sounders played the ball down the left wing for Leo Chu. His cross found Ruidiaz about 10 yards from goal, but his right-footed shot was punched away by McCarthy as the goalie went down to his left.
A minute later, Seattle’s Obed Vargas was able to get past a couple of Los Angeles defenders near the end line on the right wing and sent a low cross for Ruidiaz, whose diving header from the top of the 6-yard box was stopped by McCarthy as he dropped to his knees.
Frei was credited with one save.
