Los Angeles FC interim boss Xavier Tamarit has praised Denis Bouanga's impact in his new role for the side.Bouanga scored twice against Austin FC in a 3-1 win for LAFC on Wednesday, with Son Heung-min netting the other goal.The 31-year-old also scored for LAFC in their 1-1 draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps in Tamarit's first game in charge, thriving in his new role as their lone striker.Bouanga has now scored 17 goals in MLS this season, and he has recorded 17 regular-season multi-goal games in his MLS career, the fourth-most among active players in the competition.Ahead of their trip to New York City FC on Saturday, Tamarit lauded Bouanga's impact in his new role."I say if you feel you have to do it, you can do it," said Tamarit."I'm very happy with Denis. I think he's helping the team a lot. He's putting all his help and effort."He's going out from his natural position and he's, I think, giving us something that we didn't have before."But I said to the players congratulations, because they are doing a big effort to work in the new way and trying what we are asking."Bouanga added: "It's so good for the confidence. For me. For Sonny. For all the team."We need goals. We need passing. We have to be decisive, too. We need points."Goodnight, Los Angeles https://t.co/rjmpXT2T3w— LAFC (@LAFC) October 15, 2026NYCFC, meanwhile, remain outside the play-off places in the Eastern Conference after a 2-0 defeat to Inter Miami during the week.This will be their first home match since September 18, when they lost to rivals New York Red Bulls, after a three-game road trip.PLAYERS TO WATCHNew York City FC – Nicolas MercauNicolas Mercau hit five of his six shot attempts on Wednesday on target, taking his total to 42 shots on target for the season, tied for fourth most in MLS behind only Lionel Messi (67), Bouanga (44) and Brian White (43).Los Angeles FC – Son Heung-minSon had a goal and two assists against Austin on Wednesday, taking his totals to 18 goals and 16 assists in MLS.He is one of three players, along with Messi and Anders Dreyer, with at least 16 goals and 16 assists since he made his MLS debut in September 2025.MATCH PREDICTION: DRAWAfter the first two meetings between NYCFC and LAFC ended in draws, each team recorded one win in the last two meetings, both in Los Angeles.LAFC have managed just one win in their 12 away matches in all competitions since the beginning of May (D5 L6), including going winless in seven straight (D4 L3).LAFC's only road win in that time came at LA Galaxy as the Black and Gold last won outside of southern California on April 25 at Minnesota.However, NYCFC have won only one of their last 13 matches in all competitions dating back to early August (D4 L8), including losing three of the last four (D1).OPTA WIN PROBABILITYNew York City FC – 36.9%Draw – 26.3%Los Angeles FC – 36.8%The post LAFC interim boss Tamarit lauds Bouanga’s impact in new role appeared first on SoccerNews.