Defender Ryan Hollingshead and Golden Boot Award-winner Dénis Bouanga both scored goals in each half and Los Angeles FC began defense of its title with a 5-2 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps in an MLS playoff opener on Saturday night.
LAFC (15-10-10), the third seed in the Western Conference, grabbed a 1-0 lead on an unassisted goal by Hollingshead in the 18th minute. Brian White scored the equalizer for sixth-seeded Vancouver (12-11-12) in the 27th minute with an assist from Andrés Cubas.
LAFC regained the lead two minutes later when Bouanga took passes from Diego Palacios and Giorgio Chiellini and scored. The Whitecaps pulled even at halftime after Ryan Gauld set up a goal by defender Sam Adekugbe in the 40th minute.