LOS ANGELES — Expect the afterglow of Los Angeles Football Club’s U.S. Open Cup triumph to linger for a bit.
“It’s something we can use as motivation when things do get a little tough,” said LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo, whose team faces a quick turnaround on Saturday and must retrain its sights on the end of the MLS season.
With five league matches on the docket before the start of the MLS Cup playoffs, Cherundolo said, “the energy and the idea and the feeling that you have already raised a trophy, and remembering what that feels like, remembering the emotions, understanding the hard work that goes into that, incredibly hard work from the players, and having that experience this late in the season is great to bank on.”
Placed at the front desk of LAFC’s performance center on Friday, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup shall serve as a welcome reminder to a group that did everything it had to to avoid a fifth straight loss with a trophy on the line and what it takes to succeed in the biggest moments.
Collectively and as individuals, the emotional 3-1 overtime victory over Sporting Kansas City accomplished several things, including giving LAFC a chance to channel positive energy the rest of the way.
Defender Omar Campos, whose surprising first goal with LAFC (14-8-7, 49 points) proved to be the Open Cup game-winner, agreed with that sentiment ahead of a clash against Eastern Conference contender FC Cincinnati (17-8-5, 58 points).
“It’s very important to put that behind us and now focus on what’s coming,” the 22-year-old Mexican said. “We have to change that focus in order to continue winning. I think this game was very important in giving us confidence for what’s ahead. I think this is a key result that will help us get the result [in Cincinnati].”
For Campos, a fleet-footed fullback who joined LAFC in January, “living the moment was special,” he said. “Seeing the fan reaction was something I really desired for a long time. I’m very happy that it came and glad I was able to contribute.”
Playing a key role in lifting LAFC’s first trophy since the 2022 MLS Cup “has to be number one in my special moments,” he said.
Throughout a whirlwind nine months, Campos said it feels like he arrived in L.A. yesterday. With the support of the club, he’s grown in confidence on and off the field. And as of a couple of weeks ago, that includes soliciting advice from his idol, fellow Mexican Carlos Vela.
“In the little time that we’ve been working together it’s been great,” Campos said. “It’s very important for me to share that with him, and also very important for him to be back at the club.”
A technically sound player in possession who is capable of beating opponents on his own, Campos displayed this potential when he cut into the box against SKC and connected on a rare right-footed shot.
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“These are the things we show him weekly. Ask him to do daily. And when he does he’s really good,” Cherundolo said. “I’d lie if I’d say he listens to me all the time, so I don’t know who he was listening to [on Wednesday], but whoever that was is probably a good idea to listen to again on Saturday.”
Campos credited the “electric” energy amongst LAFC supporters at BMO Stadium: “They let us know they wanted it as much as we did, if not more.”
The mood-switching potential of winning the Open Cup will be tested at Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium, which is forecast to be drenched by the remnants of Hurricane Helene. Winless in its last six MLS regular-season matches, LAFC has been on the verge of qualifying for the postseason for several weeks – it would Saturday by avoiding a loss or if Dallas drops points in Orlando.
LAFC AT FC CINCINNATI
When: Saturday, 4:30 p.m.
Where: TQL Stadium, Cincinnati
TV/Radio: Apple TV+ – MLS Season Pass, TUDN/710 AM, 980 AM