Los Angeles FC claimed their first Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup victory with a 3-1 triumph over Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday night. Omar Campos and Kei Kamara netted crucial goals in extra time to secure the historic win. The victory marked LAFC’s fourth trophy since their establishment in 2018, following previous successes such as the Supporters Shield and MLS Cup.
Olivier Giroud opened the scoring for LAFC in the 53rd minute, breaking the deadlock with a well-executed goal. Sporting KC fought back, with Erik Thommy equalizing in the 60th minute. Campos, a substitute, then stepped up for LAFC with a goal in the 102nd minute, followed by a goal from Kamara in the 109th minute to seal the victory.
The win in the 109th edition of the Open Cup ended LAFC’s streak of four consecutive title match losses across different competitions. The club’s success in reaching the finals of the Leagues Cup and U.S. Open Cup is a testament to their strong performance, with a demanding schedule of 46 matches in the regular season. LAFC’s overall record of 48-25-21 in all competitions over the past two seasons reflects their consistent competitive edge.
Sporting Kansas City, despite a resilient performance, fell short in the final, with goalkeeper Tim Melia making key saves to keep the game level in the first half. Thommy’s goal injected hope for Sporting KC, but LAFC’s determination proved too much to overcome. Giroud, in his second goal for LAFC since joining the club, showcased his scoring prowess, contributing to the team’s success.
As LAFC continues their campaign in the MLS regular season, currently placed fourth in the Western Conference, Sporting Kansas City faces the disappointment of not qualifying for the postseason. The intense final match highlighted the competitive spirit and skill of both teams, culminating in a memorable night for the victors, LAFC.
