In a thrilling West Coast showdown that had fans on the edge of their seats until the very last kick, Los Angeles FC snatched a dramatic 2-2 draw against San Diego FC on Saturday night, thanks to a stoppage-time heroics from Ryan Hollingshead.
The match looked all but decided when San Diego held a commanding 2-0 lead late in the second half. But LAFC, known for their never-say-die attitude, mounted a furious comeback that showcased the resilience of a team that has consistently been among MLS's elite.
Denis Bouanga, the dynamic forward who has scored 20+ goals in each of the last three seasons, finally broke through in the 82nd minute with LAFC's first shot on target. The goal ignited hope for the visitors and set the stage for an unforgettable finish.
Deep into stoppage time—the 14th minute to be exact—Mathieu Choiniere delivered a soft header off a corner kick played to the back post by David Martinez. The ball bounced tantalizingly in front of goal, and Hollingshead, showing the poacher's instinct that has made him a fan favorite, slammed home his first goal of the season to complete the stunning equalizer.
San Diego had looked in control for much of the night, powered by a breakout performance from Marcus Ingvartsen. The Danish striker scored his first career multi-goal game in MLS, opening the scoring in the seventh minute with a headed finish from Anders Dreyer's corner kick. He doubled the lead in the 71st minute with a clinical finish on the counter-attack, bringing his season tally to seven goals and two assists—a remarkable improvement from his debut MLS campaign in 2025.
The result extends LAFC's unbeaten run to two matches after snapping a three-game winless streak against Minnesota. For San Diego, the draw ends a five-game losing skid, though they'll rue letting a two-goal lead slip away in the final minutes.
One concerning note for San Diego: goalkeeper CJ Dos Santos, making his season debut after recovering from a fractured cheekbone and orbital floor fracture suffered in last year's playoffs, was forced off with an injury in stoppage time and replaced by Duran Ferree. The 24-year-old had recorded three saves before his early exit.
For LAFC fans, this match was a reminder of why they never leave early—and why the right gear matters when you're celebrating (or commiserating) through every dramatic moment of an MLS season.