Olivier Giroud, Kei Kamara lead LAFC to 2024 US Open Cup, besting Sporting Kansas City for first trophy

LAFC claimed their first US Open Cup Wednesday night, defeating Sporting Kansas City 3-1 in extra-time. Goals from Olivier Giroud, Omar Campos and Kei Kamara secured the result, with Sporting's lone effort coming off the boot of Erik Thommy.

Their marquee signing of the summer, Giroud was the regulation hero, while Campos and Kamara netted their strikes in extra-time. A player with a big-game reputation, the 27-year-old Frenchman scored his second goal across all competitions for the Black and Gold, and his second in a Cup final for LAFC since arriving from AC Milan on a free transfer during the summer.

He opened the scoring in the 53rd minute, breaking the scoreless deadlock, but Thommy countered quickly with a goal of his own seven minutes later. Unable to find a winner in regulation, the two sides went to the additional period of play to declare a victory, with the Los Angeles-based side coming out on top.

Campos scored in the 102nd minute, and Kamara's game-winner arrived in the 109th, handing them the Cup.

This was LAFC's first US Open Cup final appearance, but their second championship game appearance of the season. The Black and Gold featured in the final of the 2024 Leagues Cup, but fell to the Columbus Crew in the contest.

Sporting, meanwhile, were four-time winners of the competition entering the evening. Had they won, they would have been the first MLS side to claim the Cup five times.

Kei Kamara: 40-years-old, his 11th MLS club, the journeyman of MLS secured the trophy for LAFC Wednesday evening. What a moment for the former Sporting Kansas City forward, who bagged the winner against his former club 12 years after he led them to an Open Cup title himself. It was a full-circle moment for Kamara, and a brilliant header, too.

A 109th minute dagger, he leapt into the air and smashed the ball home off a Denis bouanga cross.

Peter Vermes: With the loss, Sporting's 2024 season essentially ends. Already eliminated from postseason contention, the Western Conference side had everything to play for Wednesday evening. Falling just short, it means they will end the campaign without a playoff appearance or a trophy to their name.

For the Sporting manager, it could be the final straw in his illustrious and storied career with Kansas City. He's been the club's manager since 2009, but after the campaign they've had, Wednesday's loss could be what forces the front-office to move in a different direction.

Both teams return to MLS action to see out the remainder of the regular season. Sporting have already been eliminated from 2024 MLS playoff contention, but LAFC are very much alive in the Western Conference. The Black and Gold are winless in their last five regular season matches, but they still sit fourth, and are looking to lock in a home playoff game over the final stretch of the campaign.