LAFC defeated USL team Monterey Bay FC Wednesday night on the road in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, advancing to the Round of 16 in a penalty kick shootout after the match ended 2-2 after overtime.
The young LAFC lineup featured six starters from LAFC2, the club’s MLS Next Pro squad, as head coach Steve Cherundolo opted to rotate the team as the Black & Gold prepares for the Concacaf Champions League Final against Mexico’s Club León.
Against Monterey, LAFC Homegrown forward Christian Torres, in his U.S. Open Cup debut, scored first, finding the back of the net in the 25th minute to give LAFC the advantage. Monterey Bay leveled the score in the 90th minute on a goal from Simon Dawkins, and then took the lead in the 95th minute of overtime on a goal from Jesse Maldonado. LAFC forward, 18-year-old Matheus Maia, would answer back in the 105th minute to even the score at 2-2.
The game would be decided by kicks from the penalty spot where LAFC would come out on top, 5-4. Veteran LAFC goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic turned in a standout performance, scoring a goal and making two saves – including the game-winning save in the sixth round of PKs - to help LAFC advance past Monterey Bay FC.
The Black & Gold await their opponent in the Round of 16 draw on Thursday, May 11 at 11 AM PT to learn the details of their next match.
LAFC now turns its attention back to the MLS regular season as they prepare to take on Real Salt Lake at America First Field on Saturday, May 13. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 PM PT and will be broadcast live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and on radio on ESPN 710 AM and 980 AM La Mera Mera.
