It’s a first Open Cup title for LAFC as the ambitious MLS club, born only in 2018, became just the 11th Los Angeles-area team to win this country’s most historic prize. “Tonight felt different, it felt more electrified,” said a visibly relieved Cherundolo, whose players battled to put an end to a run of four straight losses in various Finals. “The boys really wanted it.”
French World Cup winner Olivier Giroud, playing in his first-ever Open Cup game, Omar Campos and Kei Kamara did the scoring while Hugo Lloris made four saves in the win. It all amounted to LAFC claiming a first trophy since their 2022 MLS Cup triumph.
“This trophy is very important,” said Giroud, the former Arsenal and AC Milan ace who joined LAFC this year in the twilight of his storied career. “We made it as a team, together, and now we can enjoy.”
Tight First 45 at BMO
During a charged first half, it was the goalkeepers showing off as Sporting KC forced a pair of fine early saves out of Lloris. Tim Melia – hunting a personal third Open Cup victory at the other end – made a point-blank stop on Giroud to keep the game scoreless near the break.
“For us the first half was very controlled and played at a high tempo, and we knew that would open up things later and that’s exactly what happened,” Cherundolo added.
With the ‘3252’ – LAFC’s famed supporter’s group – in full voice to start the second half, their heroes hit Sporting KC on a deadly counter-attack. The hosts caught the outstanding Melia off his line in the 53rd minute and Sergi Palencia played the ball through to Mateusz Bogusz, who crossed it low into the box for Giroud to tuck home.
