LAFC vs Sporting Kansas City – September 25, 2024
With a 3-1 win in the LAFC vs Sporting Kansas City 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the Black and Gold achieved their first ever Open Cup in club history. Olivier Giroud, Omar Campos, and Kei Kamara each contributed a goal to help LAFC finish a perfect performance with a 5-0-0 record in the 2024 competition.
Both LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia secured a clean sheet in the first half with multiple saves. Thanks to Giroud, LAFC was the first on the board in the 53rd minute when the French striker successfully completed a cross from teammate Matesuz Bogusz with a tough right-footed tap in as he dove into the ground within the goal box.
Sporting KC answered back minutes later when Dániel Sallói found Erik Thommy running down the center of the box, only to score on Lloris with a quick finish to the near post to equalize the game. In nail biting fashion, the score stayed tied all the way until the end of the 90 minutes, but the Black and Gold immediately took control in extra time when Campos scored his first ever goal for the Club.
After winning a loose ball just inside the right side of the box, Cristian Olivera set up Campos for a short pass. Campos then struck one through Melia’s dive and inside the post to put LAFC on top 2-1 in the 102nd minute. Shortly after, 40-year-old Kamara put the cherry on top when Denis Bouanga found him waving down as he pranced toward the box, collecting DB’s cross with a beautiful header for the final nail in the coffin.
Kamara’s goal allowed him to become the oldest player to score in an Open Cup Final in history. Bouanga’s assist now places him at second-most assists in the 2024 Open Cup.
LAFC returns to regular season play on Saturday, September 28 to face FC Cincinnati.
