https://www.futbolmundial.com/ On a Hollywood night, south of the Hollywood Hills, in front of a sellout crowd of more than 22,000 roaring fans, Los Angeles Football Club and Sporting Kansas City wrote a Hollywood ending to the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as LAFC claimed its first Open Cup title with a 3-1 victory.
A championship atmosphere emanated from BMO Stadium with fans of both teams in full voice and members of the great LA Kickers – legends of Open Cup yesteryear – looking on as the two MLS combatants went toe to toe from the opening whistle.
Both teams carved out chances over the first 20 minutes with Sporting KC twice testing Hugo Lloris in the LAFC goal. Half an hour in brought a pair of dangerous moments from LAFC’s dynamic duo of Denis Bouanga and Mateusz Bogusz. A smart save from Tim Melia in the KC goal on Olivier Giroud in the 41st minute kept things knotted at zeros as halftime approached but put the smell of goal in legendary French striker’s nostrils.
Eight minutes after the break and Giroud had his goal via a tap-in from a Bogusz after LAFC stole the ball in midfield and Sergi Palencia played Bogusz in behind the SKC defense. It was a first Open Cup goal for Giroud in his inaugural match in the competition.
LAFC’s advantage was short-lived as the four-time Open Cup champions, who had won each of their previous Finals appearances, struck back. This time, it was LAFC that turned the ball over 35 yards from goal and a quick switch put Dániel Sallói into the left side of the box. His cut back cross was met by Erik Thommy, who one-timed a laser past Hugo Lloris at the near post to level matters.
LAFC began tilting the field in the latter stages of the second half but was unable to find the killer touch despite creating a handful of dangerous situations through Bogusz and Bouanga.
Ultimately, a victor could not be decided in regulation and an extra half hour of play was needed to separate the combatants.
The crucial break-through came in the 102nd minute when referee Armando Villarreal played advantage for LAFC after a foul on Bouanga near the top of the box. The ball wound its way to Omar Campos, who dipped past a pair of SKC defenders before guiding a low drive through the penalty area and into the lower right corner for the match winner.
Kei Kamara — who considers Los Angeles his home after arriving there as a young refugee from war-torn Sierra Leone — capped off proceedings with a towering header in the 109th minute to cement the final 3-1 scoreline. It was a vintage strike from the forward against his former club where he had made his name.
