Bouanga adds hat trick after quick goal from Son as LAFC doubles up Earthquakes 4-2

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SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Denis Bouanga finished with a hat trick after Son Heung-Min scored in the first minute and Los Angeles FC beat the San Jose Earthquakes 4-2 on Saturday night at Levi Stadium.

Son gave LAFC (12-7-8) the lead when he used passes from rookie Artem Smolyakov and Mark Delgado to score 54 seconds into the match. It was Son's second goal in five matches since transferring in from Tottenham Hotspur. He ties for the third fastest goal in club history. Smolyakov's assist was his first in his 19th appearance and Delgado's was his career-high eighth.

Bouanga took over from there — scoring in the 9th, 12th and 87th minutes for his third career three-goal effort in regular-season play. Bouanga, who won the Golden Boot Award in 2023, has 18 goals on the season — three behind league leader Sam Surridge of Nashville SC.

Preston Judd scored in the 18th minute for the Earthquakes, whose final tally came on an own goal by LAFC defender Sergi Palencia in the 90th minute. Judd's netter was his career-best seventh. Palencia had assists on two of Bouanga's goals.

Hugo Lloris saved three shots for LAFC (12-7-8).

Daniel De Sousa Britto totaled two saves for the Earthquakes (9-13-8).

LAFC pulls one point behind the fourth-place Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference with the top four seeds earning home-field advantage in the best-of-three first round.

LAFC travels to play Real Salt Lake on Wednesday. The Earthquakes host St. Louis City on Saturday.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer