“We know we’re a team. When we can take the lead – whether it’s through set pieces, good football or whatever – we always know we have a very strong counterattack,” said head coach Steve Cherundolo after the game. “We also know that was a recipe for success against Seattle. And that happened again tonight.”

Like Bouanga’s goal, the result itself was a bit of a déjà vu. In their final game before the Leagues Cup break, the Black & Gold claimed another 3-0 win at Lumen Field, producing eerily similar stats and a brace from Bouanga in another dynamic and dominant performance.

“There is no substitute for good players. And we have good players,” said Cherundolo with a smile. “I mean Denis Bouanga, for example, who is physically and technically gifted, who simply loves to score goals and knows where to stand.”

“It’s not just about having talented players,” he continued. “We train that way and work hard on the training pitch. A good defensive structure, an organised defensive structure automatically makes you ready to counterattack if you’re in the right places. And that requires tactical discipline and a lot of work on the training pitch.”