Ghanaian forward Kwadwo Opoku needed only five minutes to make the difference after climbing off the bench to score the winner as Los Angeles FC beat Wayne Rooney’s DC United.
The 21-year-old replaced Brian Rodriguez in the 62nd minute before going on to score the match winner, after calmly controlling a pass from Cristian Arango before slotting home.
He became the 15th LAFC to come off the bench to score the winner for the franchise in the MLS this season.
15 – @Mahala_jnr‘s goal was the 15th scored by an @LAFC substitute this season. Only D.C. United (16 in 2016) and Colorado (19 in 1998) have had more goals scored by subs in a single @MLS season. Reinforcements. pic.twitter.com/aDrvM0frMZ
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) August 17, 2022
With LAFC missing former Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale, they struggled to create in the first half, going into the break goalless.
But DC United were reduced to ten men after defender Steven Birnbaun was sent off on the hour mark.
LAFC took advantage by bringing on the young Ghanaian attacking forward, who scored the winner in the 67th minute.
SECOND. HALF. LAFC.#LAFCvDC pic.twitter.com/jHc6UUc89G
— LAFC (@LAFC) August 17, 2022
Compatriot Latif Blessing was introduced in the game in the 73rd minute as he replaced Carlos Vela while Chris Odoi-Atsem, another player with Ghanaian heritage, came on in the 82nd minute for DC United.
Kwadwo Opoku has scored six goals in 22 games for LAFC in the 2022 Major League Soccer season.
By Lukman Abdul Mumin
