US Open Cup: LAFC beats Sporting KC in extra time to win final

LAFC’s first win in six games earned them a title.

The Black and Golds won their first US Open Cup on Wednesday with a 2-1 overtime win over Sporting KC, their first trophy since winning the MLS Cup in 2022. Omar Campos played the hero in the extra 30 minutes, scoring from the edge of the box in the 102nd minute.

The mature 40-year-old Kei Kamara scored the decisive goal in the second half of extra time.

LAFC entered the game in the worst stretch of the season, having last beaten the Seattle Sounders on August 28. However, this win was significant as Seattle was the only MLS team they had to face to reach Wednesday’s final.

Despite being outmatched, LAFC went into the final as clear favorites. Sporting KC has four Open Cup titles, but is 12th in the Western Conference with a record of 8-7-16, while LAFC (14-9-7) is still in fourth place. The crowd at BMO Stadium also cheered the team on as the game moved into the decisive phase.

Both teams had at least one good scoring opportunity in the first half, but went into halftime with the scoreless. That tie was quickly broken in the second half when a quick counterattack ended with an Olivier Giroud goal.

Sporting KC only needed a few minutes to react and Erik Thommy scored the breakthrough with a beautiful assist from Dániel Sallói.

LAFC were the more active team overall, having more passes, shots and shots on goal throughout the 120+ minutes. It was a good performance and one they desperately needed as they enter the final weeks of MLS play.

But whatever happens, a franchise less than a decade old can now lay claim to the oldest soccer trophy in the United States.