Sounders unable to thwart nemesis LAFC in Open Cup semifinal
by Jayda Evans · The Seattle TimesTUKWILA — Someday wasn’t Wednesday.
Los Angeles FC converted on a late penalty to defeat the Sounders 1-0 in a U.S. Open Cup semifinal match at Starfire Stadium on Wednesday. The Black & Gold will host Sporting Kansas City for the Open Cup final in September.
SKC defeated USL Championship side Indy Eleven 2-0 on Wednesday to advance.
“Again, it’s giving away goals instead of them earning it,” Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer said. “There’s no progress. We haven’t won.”
Wednesday’s loss is the fourth time, in three different competitions this season the Sounders have lost to LAFC. The Black & Gold have won two MLS matches and eliminated the Sounders from the Leagues Cup in the quarterfinals earlier this month.
Referee Ricardo Fierro immediately pointed to the spot, calling a handball foul on Sounders midfielder Pedro de la Vega inside the box in the 81st minute. Fierro also showed de la Vega a yellow card in the 83rd minute as he argued alongside teammate Alex Roldan against the decision.
LAFC striker Denis Bouanga stepped up to take the penalty, beaming it past keeper Andrew Thomas. It’s Bouanga’s fourth goal against Seattle this year.
“To call it that quickly … it is what it is,” Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan said of the foul. Replays do show the ball changing direction after contact with de la Vega.
Sounders forward Jordan Morris thought he had the equalizer in the 91st minute off a cross from Roldan. He was ruled offside and the shot at the mouth of goal was not reviewed.
Open Cup began in 1913 and is believed to be the third oldest continuously run domestic event in the world. The single-elimination tournament paused in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Sounders are four-time champions, last winning in 2014. Sporting and the Chicago Fire also have won four, SKC clinching their fourth in 2017.
Starfire was retrofitted with LED signage, at least four cameras on risers and extra seating to fit 4,109 fans Wednesday. Most sported Sounders gear while a few dozen LAFC fans were sectioned off on a grassy knoll in the southwest corner of the field’s border.
Bouanga celebrated his goal with a front flip in front of his supporters.
The 54-acre complex is operated as a nonprofit to make soccer inclusive. The field is 5-yards narrower and 6-yards shorter than Seattle’s home turf at Lumen.
Seattle’s opening half was entertaining for what didn’t happen. The Sounders didn’t concede an early goal and defended well. In their past loses to LAFC, conceding early was an issue.
But the defensive work meant they also didn’t have any shots on target in the half.
The Black & Gold were denied their best attempt of the half by Jackson Ragen. The Sounders center back was on the goal line when forward Kei Kamara whacked a volley toward the net. The ball deflected off Ragen’s head to keep the match level in the 40th minute.
“It’s a smaller field, so we were able to get bodies on their fast players,” Cristian Roldan said. “We did a good job of preventing fluky counter attacks that led to goals and not getting scored on first. … But it was a frustrating game all together.”
Aaron Long tested Thomas in the 62nd minute. The play started from a free kick about 20 yards deep, Long tipping the ball toward goal. Thomas had a diving save and the ensuing corner kick was cleared.
LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo made five changes from the starters who defeated Seattle in Leagues Cup at Lumen. Cherundolo’s selections were also heavily rotated from LAFC’s road loss to Columbus in a Leagues Cup final Sunday. The Crew won 3-1.
“It was a tough game,” Kamara told the broadcast team. “To lose a final and go to the next game and see what you can do, how the locker room is going to pick itself back up. To play here, everything was kind of against us. We put in the work, put in the shift and it’s good to be in another final that will be in LA.”
Schmetzer’s only change from the MLS win in Minnesota last week was Thomas replaced Stefan Frei in goal. Thomas has started since Seattle entered this year’s tournament in the Round of 32.
De la Vega (Paul Rothrock) subbed on in the 75th minute as the first change in the lineup.
Seattle’s congested schedule continues with a Cascadia derby Saturday against Portland (10-9-7). The Sounders (11-8-7) are currently fifth in the Western Conference and the Timbers are seventh.
“We still have a lot to play for,” Roldan said.
Note
• Tacoma Defiance midfielder Georgi Minoungou signed with the Sounders, the club announced Wednesday. The Côte d’Ivoire international’s contract is through 2028 with an option for 2029. Minoungou has made five appearances for Seattle through short-term agreements.