World champions Giroud and Lloris celebrate victory in the US Open Cup with LAFC

Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris reached the pinnacle of football by helping France win the 2018 World Cup.

On Wednesday night, they said they celebrated the same way after helping LAFC win the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a 3-1 overtime victory 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.

For Giroud, who turns 38 on Monday, it is the 12th major trophy. Lloris moved to LAFC this year, making him the first world champion to play for the club.

Omar Campos and Kei Kamara scored in overtime to give LAFC its fourth trophy since play began 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 shots. “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 pace to play 46 games in the regular season, up from 53 last year, which included reaching the Concacaf Champions League and MLS Cup finals.

With Wednesday’s win, LAFC is 48-25-21 in all competitions over the past two seasons.

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

Kamara, the second-leading goalscorer in MLS history, secured the win with a header in the 109th minute after Campos had put LAFC back in front following Erik Thommy’s equalizer.

The 40-year-old striker has a unique perspective when it comes to winning this competition.

“It’s incredible. To me, the Open Cup is like 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.”

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.