Denis Bouanga scored the game’s only goal in the 86th minute on Sunday night to propel Los Angeles FC to a 1-0 victory over visiting Atlanta United.

Bouanga’s 24th goal of the season tied Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi for the league lead, as Los Angeles (16-7-8, 56 points) won its fifth straight game. In a scoreless tie, Los Angeles’ Mark Delgado sent a ball into the box, where Atlanta defender Enea Mihaj was able to get his head on it, but the ball fell right to Bouanga, who fired it in for the go-ahead score.

Rookie goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert made three saves for Atlanta (5-15-12, 27 points), which dropped its third game in four tries. In a disappointing season, Atlanta was shut out for the 12th time this year. The visitors were outshot 15-3 on Sunday, including a 4-1 difference in shots on goal.

In the 57th minute, Hibbert saved Delgado’s shot, before Atlanta United put their first shot on goal one minute later, as Bartosz Slisz’s left-footed attempt was saved by Hugo Lloris.

Atlanta had its best chance in the 70th minute, as Slisz’s shot was deflected and then hit the right post.

Bouanga missed on a shot outside of the box 13 minutes in, before teammate Son Heung-Min had his attempt blocked by Ronald Hernandez four minutes later.

Bouanga and Heung-Min then each had shots on goal in the 21st minute, but Hibbert saved both to preserve the scoreless tie.

Atlanta finally mustered its first shot attempt in the 43rd minute, as Miguel Almiron’s effort from outside the box was blocked by Nkosi Tafari.

Los Angeles totaled nine first-half shots to Atlanta’s one but entered halftime deadlocked at 0-0.

Los Angeles plays its final regular-season home game on Wednesday against Toronto FC, while Atlanta hits the road for the last time in 2025 on Saturday at Inter Miami.

–Field Level Media