On the back of three straight finals losses in three different competitions, Los Angeles FC needed to bounce back after losing its lead in regulation to beat Sporting Kansas City 3-1 in overtime at BMO Stadium on Wednesday.
The spark in the Black and Gold’s offense came from substitute defender Omar Campos — his crunching tackle, which earned him a yellow card five minutes after he was introduced in the 67th minute, sparked the crowd while his five duels won led all substitute players.
“This team showed tonight the character and personality when you’re ready to face difficulties,” LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris said. “When you’re ready to step up for the big moments like tonight, it means a lot.
“Now it’s the moment to enjoy.”
With four minutes remaining in the first period of extra time, Campos capped off his valiant performance with a title-deciding goal that any forward would be proud of.
Campos collected a pass in stride from forward Cristian Olivera that freed him up at the edge of the box and resulted with a curling shot that beat SKC goalkeeper, and two-time winner of the Cup with the Wizards, Tim Melia.
This was LAFC’s first time in an Open Cup final while SKC lost its first championship game in the competition after winning its first four appearances (2004, 2012, 2015, 2017). LAFC becomes the 16th California club to lift the trophy in the tournament’s 109-year history, and the 11th Los Angeles-based club.
The game’s first goal came early in the second half when LAFC forward Olivier Giroud found himself in space and found the net with a tap-in goal.
Controversy rose upon the restart when the Video Assistant Referee took time to look for a foul in the lead up as well as a possible offside by LAFC forward Mateus Bogusz.
LAFC defender Maxime Chanot picked the pocket of SKC midfielder Erik Thommy in the center circle which resulted with Bogusz streaking toward the goal with Giroud ready to sweep home.
Thommy remained on the ground while Bogusz beat Melia to the ball and passed across to a wide open Giroud for the goal.
After review, the goal stood and Giroud earned his second goal in a final for LAFC.
“I stayed onside,” Giroud said about his goal. “And Matty did really well and I was so happy to score another goal in a final and to help the team.”
“We’re so happy for our fans and ourselves and our families.”
The goal for the hosts was a good omen for a team itching to lift a cup after three consecutive disappointments — in the Modern Era (since 1995) the home team’s record in the final after scoring first was 14-2.
Thommy got his revenge seven minutes later when his run into the box went unmarked which allowed him to power a shot from SKC midfielder Daniel Salloi’s drop-back pass past LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris for the equalizer.
The match went on to finish 1-1 after regular time and, in the extra 30 minutes, Campos and LAFC forward Kei Kamara made sure the Black and Gold faithful would go home happy.
Kamara, who scored a penalty in regular time as well as in the deciding shootout as a part of the SKC team that were crowned champions in 2012, secured LAFC the win with 11 minutes remaining on a powerful header that Melia had no chance to reach.
“It’s one of those where I have to be honest I was a little nervous coming into this game,” said Kamara who has seven career US Open Cup goals. ”It’s one of those where you look at your history and the only trophy I’ve won was the US Open Cup and today was a special day to play against the team that I won that trophy with.
“And a bit nervous to feel like ‘is it going to happen?’ Or is it one of those where you just get there and it doesn’t happen? I’m just glad we were able to finish the game and be able to say we won the cup.”
SKC finished extra time with zero shots on target despite taking the lion’s share of possession during the additional 30 minutes.
Up next for LAFC and SKC is the run-in for Major League Soccer’s regular season.
The Wizards have three meaningless matches remaining since they’ve been eliminated from playoff contention while LAFC have five games to climb the table and tune-up before 2024 MLS Cup playoffs begin.