Los Angeles FC assistant coach Ante Razov praised Denis Bouanga's influence but warned the side not to rely heavily on him, with the Houston Dynamo next up in MLS.

Bouanga scored twice to help rescue a 2-2 draw for LAFC with St. Louis City SC last weekend, though he also missed a second-half penalty.

He is their top scorer with four goals this season, carrying on from a 20-goal campaign in 2024.

LAFC are unbeaten in three since their 1-0 defeat to the Dynamo in early April (W1 D2), and they are eighth in the Western Conference on 14 points, already nine behind leaders Vancouver Whitecaps.

Razov chose to use Bouanga's starring role last Saturday as an attempt to rally the rest of the team to step up in front of goal.

"It's no secret Denis is a big weapon of ours," said Razov. "Denis can score four goals [against St. Louis].

"Denis put in a good effort; he got us two goals, but we need other guys to score.

"We need other people to step up and start scoring goals, creating goals. You cannot survive with just one guy scoring.

"Right now, we're kind of treading water and our record shows. We're not happy about it, trying to encourage guys, push guys along."

Houston, meanwhile, sit four points behind LAFC in 13th, having won just twice all season.

One of those victories came against Steve Cherundolo's side, which started a four-match unbeaten streak (W2 D2).

The Dynamo beat Austin FC 2-0 last weekend, and head coach Ben Olsen is hopeful they can continue to build on their recent uptick in form.

"Wins have been hard to come by this year, so we enjoyed the last one," Olsen said. "It feels good for the guys.

"We're working hard. It's been an emotional start. It's hard to get three points.

"We have to go and punish teams as they get a little riskier, and that was a nice part of the game [against Austin]."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Los Angeles FC – Cengiz Under

Cengiz Under came off the bench to assist both of Bouanga's goals for LAFC against St. Louis City on Sunday.

Under is the third LAFC player to record multiple assists as a substitute in a regular-season match, after Francisco Ginella in 2020 and Jose Cifuentes in 2023.

Houston Dynamo – Ondrej Lingr

Ondrej Lingr scored in each of his first two MLS matches for the Houston Dynamo.

Lingr is the second Dynamo player to score in each of his first two career MLS matches after Rommel Quioto scored in each of his first three in 2017.

MATCH PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES FC WIN

Houston have won five of their last eight meetings with Los Angeles FC in all competitions (D1 L2). Prior to that, Houston had never won in nine meetings with LAFC (D5 L4).

However, the Dynamo are winless in seven straight away matches dating back to last season, though four of their last five on the road ended in draws. Houston have totaled two goals over those seven matches.

Given that run, LAFC are the favorites to prevail on home soil. After opening the season with four straight wins in all competitions, they have won just three of their last 11 (D2 L6).

LAFC have played two straight draws after none of their previous 25 matches in all competitions ended level (including two extra-time matches).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Los Angeles FC – 51.4%

Draw – 24.7%

Houston Dynamo – 23.9%