LAFC advanced to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals for the third time in club history with a 3-0 win against USL Championship side Loudoun United at BMO Stadium on Tuesday night.
Fresh from being named to the U.S. Men's National Team Roster for a pair of international friendlies against Colombia and Brazil, Black & Gold midfielder Timmy Tillman notched an early goal in the 8th minute to stake LAFC to a 1-0 lead.
Tillman's goal was the fastest in LAFC’s Open Cup history, equaling Carlos Vela’s eighth minute strike on June 11 vs. Real Salt Lake in the 2019 edition of America's longest running soccer tournament.
The home side carried that lead into the early portion of the second half before adding a second through Cristian Olivera - his third of the tournament - in the 52nd minute. Tomás Ángel struck for LAFC's third - his first career goal for the club - soon thereafter as the Black & Gold cruised to a 3-0 win.
LAFC will learn its foe for the next round during the Quarterfinal Draw on Wednesday night. Fans can watch the Draw on U.S. Soccer's YouTube channel at 7:00 p.m. PT.
The 2024 U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals will be held on July 9 and 10. Exact match details will be available after the Draw is conducted.
NEWS & NOTES
- Forward Denis Bouanga has either scored or assisted on seven of LAFC’s last eight goals since May 11 across all competitions.
- Cristian Olivera now has three goals in the U.S. Open Cup this season after scoring two times vs. Las Vegas in the previous round on May 8. Olivera’s three career Open Cup goals are tied for second in LAFC history with Carlos Vela and Cristian Arango. Diego Rossi is the LAFC all-time leader with six Open Cup goals.
- Olivera's three goals see him nipping at the heels of 2024 Open Cup Golden Boot leader Dembor Benson who scored four goals for the now eliminated El Farolito, the San Fransico amateur side that was sponsored by the popular local burrito shop chain.
- Olivera has scored six goals across all competitions in LAFC’s last five games since May 4.
- LAFC’s Tommy Musto made his first team debut tonight, entering in the 79th minute and replacing Sergi Palencia. Musto originally signed with LAFC2 of MLS NEXT Pro in August 2023.
LAFC returns to MLS play with a trip to the Peach State to face Atlanta United on Saturday, May 25, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium at 4:30 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, the ESPN LA App and 980 AM LA Mera Mera (Esp).
