LAFC’s first win in six games earned them a title.
The Black and Gold won their first U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday with a 2-1 overtime victory over Sporting KC, their first trophy since winning the MLS Cup in 2022. Omar Campos played the hero in the extra 30 minutes, finishing from the edge of the penalty area in the 102nd minute.
Kei Kamara, at the ripe old age of 40, provided the insurance goal in the second half of ET.
LAFC came into the game on the back of its season-worst skid, having last won on Aug. 28 against the Seattle Sounders. That victory was significant, though, as Seattle was the only MLS team it had to face to reach Wednesday’s final.
Despite the cold weather, LAFC entered the final as the clear favorite. Sporting KC may have four Open Cup titles, but they are 12th in the Western Conference with an 8-7-16 record, while LAFC (14-9-7) remains in fourth place. The BMO Stadium crowd also provided a boost as the game grew ever closer to the deciding hour.
Both teams had at least one good chance on goal in the first half, but went into the break tied at 0-0. The deadlock was quickly broken in the second half, when a quick counterattack ended with Olivier Giroud finding the net.
Sporting KC took just a few minutes to react, with Erik Thommy breaking through thanks to a good assist from Dániel Sallói.
Overall, LAFC was the more active team, with more passes, shots and shots on goal during the 120-plus minutes of the match. It was a strong performance, much needed as we head into the final weeks of the MLS season.
But no matter what happens, a franchise less than a decade old can now lay claim to the oldest football trophy in the United States.