Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup 2024: LAFC vs Sporting KC Preview

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·24 de setembro de 2024

Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup 2024: LAFC vs Sporting KC Preview

The 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup climaxes with a massive showdown between LAFC and Sporting Kansas City tomorrow, Wednesday, September 25. The game will take place at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles at 10:30 p.m. ET and be streamed for free on Apple TV

LAFC heads into the finals after a solid Open Cup campaign, beating the Seattle Sounders in the semifinals. In the league, however, their recent record has been poor, with the team losing and drawing without a win in five MLS games, including a 3-1 loss to FC Dallas last Saturday.

Vídeos OneFootball

Now, the Black and Gold team will focus entirely on pursuing the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title, one of the most traditional tournaments in American soccer.

On the other hand, Sporting Kansas City is focused and confident about the decision. Striker Johnny Russell commented in a recent interview that the team’s mentality is prepared for the challenge, highlighting the group’s unity to win the title.

For the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title 🏆 @LAFC hosts @SportingKC tomorrow night (10:30pm ET, free on @AppleTV) in the @OpenCup Final.
– terça-feira, 24 de setembro de 2024

(Reproduction: Twitter/MLS)

LAFC

Mateus Bogusz for LAFC against Sporting Kansas City (Celso Oliveira / Territorio MLS)

Playing at home, LAFC has the support of its fans at BMO Stadium and hopes to use this advantage to lift the U.S. Open Cup trophy for the first time in its history. The team led by Steve Cherundolo is looking to bounce back after the defeat to FC Dallas and is counting on its main stars to shine in the final.

LAFC Highlights for the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final

Carlos Vela: The Mexican star is back and could be a bright spot for LAFC in the second half.
Denis Bouanga: With 17 goals in MLS, Bouanga is the team’s top scorer, but he has yet to connect with new teammate Olivier Giroud.
Olivier Giroud: The French forward has not found his feet in MLS, but he scored a goal in the Leagues Cup final against Columbus and has another opportunity to win his first title since arriving in the United States in the summer.
David Martinez: The young Venezuelan has shown talent, but is still adapting to the style of play of the Los Angeles team

LAFC is in 4th place in the MLS table, with 49 points.

Sporting Kansas City

Johnny Russell for Sporting Kansas City (Celso Oliveira / Territorio MLS)

Sporting Kansas City come into the final with a solid recent record in the U.S. Open Cup, having won the tournament on three occasions. Peter Vermes‘s team is banking on experience and youth to upset LAFC and take the trophy to Kansas City. To reach the final, SKC dispatched the last USL representative, Indy Eleven, to get the tournament’s grand final.

According to the CIES Football Observatory, Vermes is the longest-tenured head coach in MLS history and the sixth longest-tenured coach in global soccer. During his successful tenure in Kansas City, Vermes won four major trophies: the 2012, 2015, and 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cups and the 2013 MLS Cup.

Sporting Kansas City’s standouts for the final

Johnny Russell: The Scottish forward is a key player in Sporting KC’s attack, bringing pace and skill to the flanks.
Alan Pulido: The Mexican striker is the team’s big goal-scoring hope, with seven goals this season.
William Agada: Another solid attacking and scoring option for Kansas, with nine goals in 2024.
Peter Vermes: Not a player, but a former one. The experienced Vermes has an unprecedented chance of winning his fourth title in the Open Cup and becoming one of the most decorated coaches in the modern era of MLS soccer.

In MLS, Sporting KC currently occupies 12th position, with 31 points.