LAFC defeated the Seattle Sounders 1-0 at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash., on Wednesday evening in the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinal. A Denis Bouanga penalty late in the second half proved the difference.
It was a cagey opening half with both teams feeling each other out and trying to adapt to the smaller confines of Starfire Stadium.
LAFC had the first real look at goal for either side in the 40th minute when Bouanga whipped in a free kick that was initially deflected into the air on a header before being punched away by Andrew Thomas. Kei Kamara took the ensuing loose ball off the volley from 12 yards out, but Jackson Ragen headed away a clearance off the goal line.
The Sounders’ first shot on target came in the 55th minute when Cristian Roldan shot from 25 yards out, but his effort was saved comfortably by Hugo Lloris.
Thomas made a great diving stop in the 63rd minute to deny a flicked header to the far post off a Bouanga set piece.
LAFC earned a penalty in the 80th minute when the referee deemed that Mateusz Bogusz’s volley hit the arm of one or both of Pedro de la Vega and Alex Roldan. Bouanga converted the spot kick in the 83rd minute.
Jordan Morris appeared to have equalized in the first minute of stoppage time on a diving header, but his goal was whistled offside.
LAFC will host Sporting Kansas City on Sept. 25 in the U.S. Open Cup Final.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Quest for five ends
The Sounders’ search of a fifth U.S. Open Cup title will need to wait another year. Seattle is tied for second all-time in USOC trophies with all four coming between 2009-14.
Georgi makes official debut as First Team player
After making several cameos earlier this season in the Open Cup as a loanee from Tacoma Defiance, midfielder Georgi Minoungou signed a First Team contract on Wednesday and was on Head Coach Brian Schmetzer’s matchday roster. The Ivorian entered the game as a substitute in the 84th minute.
Quick turnaround to Portland
The Sounders will quickly shift their attention back to MLS play with a huge clash at Providence Park against the Portland Timbers on Saturday (7:30 p.m. PT; MLS Season Pass on Apple TV). The meeting will be the second of three this season after Seattle left Portland 2-1 winners on May 12.
