For his late heroics in Los Angeles FC’s 3-1 extra time win over Sporting Kansas City in the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final on Wednesday, Sept. 28, Omar Campos has been selected TheCup.us Player of the Round.
The left-foot-dominant defender’s unpredictable right-footed finish that curled beyond Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia earned the Black and Gold its first etch onto the Dewar Challenge Trophy.
“Truly it was a lovely moment to see the people scream,” Campos added. “For everyone to get up — it was something very emotional to me.”
LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo opted for the defender 67 minutes into a final that saw Black and Gold forward Olivier Giroud put the hosts in front eight minutes into the second half before midfielder Erik Thommy leveled the scoring for the Wizards after an hour of play.
With three minutes remaining before the end of the first extra time, Campos found himself in unfamiliar territory.
“Omar has been fantastic not just because the goal,” Cherundolo said following LAFC’s 1-0 win over St. Louis City SC on Wednesday. “Defensively he broke up a lot of plays. His positioning has been much, much better. He’s understanding covering width, but also, he’ll shoulder up the center back at the same time which means your positioning is perfect, and yeah he’s improving before our eyes and that’s a great sign.”
Campos’ move started at the touchline. He noticed forward Cristian Olivera drag two defenders away from goal so his decision to turn his run forward into the inside of the field became the key step in what happened next.
“I’m always near the wings,” Campos admitted about his unusual choice to take up space centrally. “I’ve never tried to hit it with my right, but it was something that in the moment I didn’t hesitate to shoot.”
Olivera noticed the left-back and released him with a pass that led the goalscorer toward the top of the box. After ghosting past midfielder Zorhan Bassong and setting his hips, Campos’ shot whipped around defender Robert Castellanos and past the goalkeeper for LAFC’s game-winning goal that got the Black and Gold over the hump after failing to win in each of its last three finals appearances.
“It was actually the first time I’ve seen him strike the ball with his right foot since he’s got here,” Cherundolo said. “He is somebody who is technically very good in possession.
“Can beat you one-v-one. These are the things we show him weekly, ask him to do daily.”
His five duels won led all substitute players while his three of four successful dribbles was the highest success rate of all players that attempted two or more dribbles.
Campos’ emergence on the LAFC left side has allowed Cherundolo to adjust his backline that will look to move defender Ryan Hollinshead into the right side of a back three after the Black and Gold have used the latter on the left side of a line of four defenders.
2024 TheCup.us Player of the Round
FINAL: Omar Campos (LAFC)
SEMIFINALS: Tim Melia (Sporting KC)
Q-FINALS: Augustine Williams (Indy Eleven)
RD. 5: Kieran Phillips (Sacramento Republic)
RD. 4: Zico Bailey (New Mexico United)
RD. 3: Stefano Pinho (Birmingham Legion)
RD. 2: Dembor Benson (El Farolito SC)
RD. 1: Kyle Bennett (FORO SC)
With three games remaining in Major League Soccer’s regular season before MLS Cup Playoffs begin, Cherundolo has some time to figure out how Campos and his latest formation can help LAFC succeed in the postseason.
The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel of from the North American Soccer Reporters, and select backers from TheCup.us’ Patreon. Anyone interested in voting for this award in future rounds may consider pledging $10 or more and help us with the continuing coverage of the US Open Cup and research on the tournament’s storied history.
Campos beat out a pair of teammates for the award. Kei Kamara, who came off the bench and scored the third goal in the match, finished second, followed by LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris who made four saves in the championship game.
Campos’ win is just the third time since 2006 that a defender has won the award for the Final. He joins last year’s winner Griffin Dorsey (Houston Dynamo FC), and Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City) in 2012.