Since trading Kwadwo Opoku when the summer transfer window opened Wednesday, the Los Angeles Football Club is in the market for a goal scorer.

“We’re always looking to improve our team,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said two days later. “Now having ‘Mahala’ Opaku leave, bringing in another attacker would be a good idea and we’re doing our best to find the right person.”

The front office already intended to sign an attacking midfielder, especially if Jose Cifuentes moves on.

As the games keep coming, there is now a gap to fill up front.

For the time being, following the Mahala move, which for $1.75 million in general allocation money is the second-most expensive in Major League Soccer, a pair of goal-hungry 19-year-old prospects have a chance to ascend the rotational food chain and, in doing so, further validate the LAFC academy.

“It is an opportunity for some of our younger attackers, Christian Torres and Nathan Ordaz, to step up into Mahala’s role,” Cherundolo said. “I’m anxious to see how they respond and if they act upon that soft invitation.”

Opoku tallied 1,182 regular-season minutes this year.

Ordaz, 118.

Torres, zero.

The two have considerable time in MLS NEXT Pro and were featured during LAFC’s U.S. Open Cup games. Ordaz stood out as a strong whistle-to-whistle performer with a drive to score during knockout games against Monterey Bay FC and the Galaxy.

“I see in both players still a lot of potential,” Cherundolo said.

To what degree the coach wouldn’t elaborate, but between now and Aug. 2, when MLS teams can make trades within the league or sign players from other countries, the homegrowns have a shot at leaving an impression alongside emerging talents Stipe Buik and Mateusz Bogusz and stars Denis Bouanga and Carlos Vela during the next league three matches.

The best way players can stand out, certainly at the moment for LAFC, is to contribute to winning results.

The Fourth of July defeat to the Galaxy at the Rose Bowl – LAFC’s eighth loss in 11 games and third in a row – had to be digested quickly as their last regular-season match of the year against the San Jose Earthquakes (7-7-7, 28 points) looms at BMO Stadium.

“It’s not easy to lose a rivalry game, but it’s a perfect moment to turn the page, focus and then take any games that are coming as opportunities to revamp ourselves,” said Honduran center back Denil Maldonado, who has been a consistent starter since May, splitting wins and losses in that stretch versus San Jose, which is 1-6 all-time when it visits LAFC.

St. Louis City comes next in its first appearance against LAFC for a pivotal Western Conference showdown at “La Banque” on July 12.

LAFC (9-6-5, 32 points) then plays at Minnesota three days later before taking a much-needed break during the second half of July.

That off time, a prize of their winning ways in 2022, comes as every other MLS team faces a trio of games in quick succession during the Leagues Cup group stage.

With or without new attacking options for Cherundolo to call upon, the Black & Gold return to action for the Leagues Cup Round of 32 on Aug. 2, the final day of the transfer window.

When: 7:39 p.m. Saturday

Where: BMO Stadium, Los Angeles

TV/Radio: Apple TV (free)/710 AM, ESPN App, 980 AM

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