Los Angeles FC defeated the Las Vegas Lights 3-1 on Wednesday night to earn a spot in the Round of 16 of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
Despite a heavily defensive performance in the first half from the Las Vegas Lights which kept out LAFC, early into the second half, LAFC broke the deadlock with a header by Kei Kamara. However the Lights quickly equalized with a header by Shawn Smart. But the Light’s celebrations were short lived as in the 71st minute, Christian Olivera gave LAFC the lead again and put them 2-1 up. Finally in the closing minutes, Olivera scored a second to secure a 3-1 victory for LAFC and a spot in the Fifth Round of the US Open Cup.
LAFC’s Ilie Sanchez talked about what it was like playing the game against the Las Vegas Lights after the game.
“In a tough place to play and against good opponents, also credit to their fans that were pushing for their team for ninety plus minutes, so not an easy game that we were able to move forward,” said Sanchez.
In the 7th minute of the game, LAFC would get the first scoring opportunity as Luis Müller ran down the middle before playing Omar Campos a through ball to put him one on one. As Omar struck a low right shot, it was saved by Nicholas Ammeter with his left leg.
Three minutes later, Campos would get another chance as a cross from Denis Bouanga found Campos on the wing with a chance to score, but as he shot, Smart made an excellent slide tackle to block the shot.
In the 24th minute, as an LAFC corner was cleared by the Lights defense, the ball came to Sergi Palencia who struck a low power shot from outside the 18 yard box towards the near post however it was caught by Ammeter who dived to the rescue.
In the 33rd minute, the Lights would get their first chance Gaoussou Samaké played a ball to Coleman Gannon who had a right footed shot from outside the box but missed it wide.
Just a minute later, Érik Duenas played Bouanga in the box for a right footed shot that was blocked by the Lights defense.
Straight into the second half, a shot by Campos was denied by Ammeter.
A minute later, Timothy Tillman played a beautiful cross from a corner kick finding Kamara as he headed the ball into the bottom left corner, breaking the deadlock and putting LAFC 1-0 up.
In the 51st minute, Eduard Atuesta played a ball to Bouanga whose shot was denied by Ammeter.
In the 56th minute, a corner from the lights would take a deflection from Edison Azcona straight towards Smart who headed the ball into the right side of the net and equalized the game 1-1.
Three minutes later, Kamara would get a header right in front of goal however Ammeter opened up and made a crucial save keeping the game at 1-1.
In the 71st minute, Campos would make a rapid run down the left wing before taking a left footed shot that was saved by Ammeter however the rebound went to Olivera who put the ball in the back of the net and gave LAFC the lead again at 2-1.
In the 75th, Bouanga made a great run passing multiple Lights defenders before cutting into the middle and unleashing a powerful low shot at the far right corner but Ammeter made an excellent save by diving low and parrying the ball out with his left arm extended.
In the 80th minute, Solomon Asante would smash a powerful low shot that was blocked by Aaron Long.
However in the 91st minute, LAFC would secure the win as Long headed the ball to Olivera who put the ball away and set the score 3-1.
After the game, Sanchez also talked about the difference between playing the US Open Cup and a typical MLS game.
“I think it’s kind of the same vibe for the players but a different vibe for the fans,” said Sanchez. “I think that our fans understand very well whats to be part of the LAFC organization and that we don’t take for granted games and we try to win every single game, every single trophy we fight for. Teams like Las Vegas Lights came with everything they had. It’s the kind of tournament where if an MLS team doesn’t take it seriously, can struggle and we didn’t let that happen.”
