LAFC Wins 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final 3-1 Against Sporting Kansas City
In the final match of the 109th Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup (USOC), the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) prevented Sporting Kansas City (Wizards) from claiming their fifth USOC title after an intense match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The match ended in a 3-1 victory for LAFC on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024 in front of over 22 thousand people. New LAFC signing and French superstar, Olivier Giroud scored the first goal of the game early in the second half which gave them the lead.
The victory let LAFC walk away with the competition’s grand prize of $300,000 with the Wizards as runners-up pocketed $100,000. LAFC won their first USOC trophy in their franchise history.
Both teams started strong in the first half with constant pressure, both having shots on target. It was LAFC that seemed to be the most dangerous team on the pitch, the ball being played in the Wizards side. Wizards having a more accurate shot on target and any chances created were stopped by LAFC keeper Hugo Lloris to keep the half at a nil-nil standstill.
The former AC Milan striker, Olivier Giroud turned the game in LAFC’s favor after scoring a tap in goal in the 53rd-minute after a cross from Mateusz Bogusz. It was a short-lived lead as the Wizards had an opportunity to tie it 1-1 and took it after Wizard Erik Thommy scored only seven minutes later in the 60th-minute. After going back and forth for a total of 92-minutes, the second half ended in a 1-1 tie leading into overtime.
In 10-minutes of extra time, LAFC’s left back found the back of the net in the 102 minute to give them the lead. Not long after the 40-year old forward Kei Kamara scored the game-winning goal for LAFC and won both French legends Lloris and Giroud their first trophy with the team in their first season of the MLS.
As the referee blew for full time to end the match, the 3252 LAFC fans rumbled the stadium celebrating and throwing liquids in the air as LAFC lifted the trophy for the first time.
LAFC, currently second in the MLS Western Conference as of Sept. 28, clinched a spot in the playoffs.