LAFC vs New Mexico United – July 10, 2024
Winning their 13th game in a row in the LAFC vs New Mexico United matchup on Wednesday, the Black and Gold advanced to the Semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for the first time in six years. With a score each, Timothy Tillman, David Martinez, and Mateusz Bogusz led LAFC to a 3-1 victory over the USL Championship club at BMO Stadium.
Tillman drew first blood in the 6th minute of the match after Bogusz first attempted a shot on goal. The ball was blocked by New Mexico United goalkeeper Alexandros Tabakis, but then bounced toward Tillman who finished the possession with a shot into the back of the net. Tillman has now either scored the opening goal, or assisted on one, in all three of LAFC’s Open Cup matches this season.
Later in the first half of the LAFC vs New Mexico United match, Tabakis also blocked a shot by Martinez, but Martinez followed up with another to Tabakis’ weak side which rolled through the back corner of the goal to double LAFC’s lead to 2-0. What a big play by the youngster who got his first ever start in Black and Gold.
After the break, New Mexico United’s Marco Micaletto made a centering pass that led to a big play by Greg Hurst who took a curled shot outside of the penalty arc that lasered through LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. With plenty of time left, LAFC had to make sure to hold their opponents down on defense, which they did for the remainder of the match.
At the 77 minute, Bogusz was hungry and fought his way into the penalty area to launch a right footed strike into the far post to put his team up 3-1. Bogusz has now scored his first U.S. Open cup goal of his career, making him the sixth LAFC player to do so this year.
Following the LAFC vs New Mexico United victory, the Black and Gold will stay home to host the Columbus Crew at BMO Stadium on Saturday, July 13.
