LAFC carried its hot start in MLS into US Open Cup play on Wednesday night.
LAFC began its 2022 US Open Cup run in dominating fashion against Orange County Soccer Club. LAFC was carried by Cristian Arango and Danny Musovski, as both players had braces in the match. Combine that alongside Cal Jennings’ goal and LAFC had an easy night with a 5-1 win at Banc of California Stadium.
“One round further, which was the objective tonight,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said. “Was happy with the goals scored and the quality of football. Was pleased, for the most part, with the defensive work of the group.”
LAFC got things started in the 12th minute. Diego Palacios intercepted a Orange County pass near midfield and passed to Jose Cifuentes, who then played Musovski forward towards the penalty area, keeper Patrick Rakovsky came off his line, Musovski touched into the penalty area, then fired the shot past Rakovsky into the back net to open the scoring.
Then it was Arango’s turn to get going. Arango got goal number one in the 34th minute, as Diego Palacios crossed into the penalty area and Arango side-stepped Hunter Gorskie and one-timed a ball past Rakovsky into the back net. Arango got his brace in the 45th minute, as he received a ball from Cifuentes, then played Musovski into the penalty area. Musovski’s run drew out Rakovsky, but Musovski instead back-heeled a ball back to Arango, who finished the play off with a shot into the open net, and just like that, LAFC was up 3-0 heading into the locker room.
The second half was mere window dressing for LAFC. The hosts added to its tally in the 68th minute, as Kellyn Acosta played Franco Escobar into the penalty area, Escobar drew out Rakovsky, Escobar played a short cross into the six-yard box and Cal Jennings slid and buried the open netter for LAFC’s fourth goal of the match. Musovski then got his brace in the 71st minute, as Latiff Blessing played a ball forward for Carlos Vela, who let the ball go into the penalty area before he sent a ball towards the six and Musovski one-timed a ball past Rakovsky into the back net.
“Good result anytime you are in any match,” Jennings said. “MLS or Cup match you want to come out and dictate the game. I felt like we did that and controlled the pace and did not get caught playing their style.”
While the match was not in doubt, Orange County SC did get a consolation, as they prevented the shutout with a goal in the 73rd minute, and it came from a player that used to call Los Angeles home. Erick Cubo Torres, who for two seasons was one of the top strikers in MLS while playing for Chivas USA, was the goal scorer for Orange County SC, as LAFC cleared out a corner kick, Tommy McCabe sent a ball back into the penalty area, Torres collected the ball gathered himself and slotted the shot past keeper John McCarthy.
“OC happens to be a team I know very well, due to last season, and so for sure we prepared ourselves for this match and we were able to see that tonight,” Cherundolo said, referring to his time coaching in the USL for the Las Vegas Lights.
LAFC will jump back into MLS play on Sunday with a trip to Southern Ohio to face Cincinnati FC.
