Ranking the Top 75 MLS Players of 2024: 6. Denis Bouanga

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Denis Bouanga showed the league how scary he is out on the wing in 2023, then did it even better in 2024. His 21 goals and 11 assists marked a career year for the Western Conference regular season champions. Bouanga has been rumored to leave and reportedly wants to get back into European football, but he has remained put. In 2025, he hopes to get Los Angeles FC back to MLS Cup, a goal that was instead achieved by its cross-city rivals last season. The 30-year-old attacker will need to put up a third consecutive elite season if the team plans to return to the big game.

The Gabonese international got going with a brace in an easy 5-0 win over Nashville. In El Trafico, he scored the match-winner. He dropped another double on the New York Red Bulls a few weeks later. A hat trick of assists led LAFC over Vancouver, directly followed by a 2-0 win with both goals coming from Bouanga. Another three goal contributions against Orlando helped capture a 3-1 win. In the second El Trafico of the season, he once again scored the winner in a 2-1 victory. In the last game before Leages Cup, he added two more. In Leagues Cup, he scored six goals en route to a loss to Columbus in the final. He scored one goal in the playoffs, but it ended at the hands of Seattle.

Bouanga 32 goal contributions certainly made 2024 a year to remember for the superstar. He averaged 0.60 goals per 90 and was one of the most constant shooters at just under five shots per game. He is never afraid to let one fly, no matter where he is on the pitch. His highlight reel varies, ranging from finesse shots to long-range screamers. He averaged 9.47 touches in the opposition's box per 90 as well, he simply lives in the opponent's end. His crafty dribbling and willingness to go at players makes him a constant threat. LAFC is always going to have one of the top attacks in MLS with him in it. Bouanga comes in at No. 6.

6) DENIS BOUANGA | FWD, LAFC | PER 90 STATS (PERCENTILE)

21 GOALS

0.60 GOALS PER 90 (96%)

4.81 SHOTS PER 90 (96%)

9.47 TOUCHES IN OPPOSITION BOX PER 90 (99%)