“I came here to win trophies”: Olivier Giroud leads LAFC to victory in the US Open Cup | Sport

Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris reached soccer’s pinnacle by helping France win the 2018 World Cup, and on Wednesday night they said they celebrated in the same way after helping Los Angeles Football Club bring home the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a 3-1 extra-time win over Sporting Kansas City.

Giroud and Lloris were equally surprised to feel the same emotions, but adding another trophy can do that.

“It’s different when you have to play in a final. You just give everything. I’m really proud of the team,” said Giroud, who scored the first goal in the second half.

It is the 12th major trophy of Giroud’s career, who turns 38 on Monday. Lloris joined LAFC this season, becoming the first World Cup winner to play for the club. Later, during the MLS half-time break, Giroud joined the club on a free transfer from Milan, reuniting with his former international teammate.

“I came here to play finals and win trophies,” Giroud said after the game.

Omar Campos and Kei Kamara scored in overtime to give LAFC its fourth trophy since the franchise was founded in 2018. The club won Major League Soccer’s Supporters Shield as the top regular-season club in 2019 and 2022 and defeated Philadelphia Union on penalties to win the 2022 MLS Cup.

LAFC’s first appearance in the Open Cup ended a streak of four consecutive title runs without a win in various competitions. It was the 109th Open Cup, America’s oldest national soccer competition.

“A trophy is a trophy. It means a lot to the club and we celebrated with the fans because they deserve it too,” said Lloris, who saved four goals. “It gives us a boost for the end of the season.”

By reaching the Leagues Cup and U.S. Open Cup finals, LAFC is on track to play 46 games this season before the MLS playoffs begin. Last season, the club played 53 games, including reaching the Concacaf Champions League and MLS Cup finals.

“We’re happy with the win. It was deserved,” said LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo. “The boys made it difficult for themselves. They understood their job and did it.”

Erik Thommy scored a goal for Sporting KC, which had previously won four Open Cup finals, the last in 2017. Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia saved three shots to help keep the game scoreless in the first half.

“I’m proud of the team,” said coach Peter Vermes. “The 3-1 result doesn’t reflect what happened. Maybe the home game gave them an advantage.”

Giroud’s breakthrough for LAFC came in the 53rd minute when he surprised Melia in front of goal and beat two defenders. It was Giroud’s second goal in 10 games for LAFC. His other goal came in the Leagues Cup final, which they lost to Columbus Crew.

Thommy equalized in the 60th minute with a shot into the near post after a cross from Dániel Sallói.

Campos, who came on as a second-half substitute, scored his first goal for LAFC in the 102nd minute from the edge of the box. Kamara, the second-leading goalscorer in MLS history, added another goal with a header in the 109th minute to secure his second U.S. Open Cup medal.

“It’s incredible. For me, the Open Cup is a comparison to the big leagues, but it’s the FA Cup of our America,” Kamara said. “You get to play these crazy games against teams that would never get a chance to play top teams in the MLS unless it’s the preseason.”

LAFC is in fourth place in the Western Conference as the MLS regular season nears its final stretch. Sporting KC will not qualify for the playoffs.

“We don’t want to settle for this trophy,” said Giroud. “We know we want to finish the season strong, qualify for the playoffs and go as far as possible.”