In a Quarterfinal clash between leading lights in their respective divisions, it was LAFC that shone brightest in a 3-1 win over New Mexico United before 7,864 fans at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday night. It didn’t take the hosts long to open their account as Timothy Tillman slammed home a sixth minute rebound after New Mexico goalkeeper Alexander Tambakis did well to parry Mateusz Bogusz’s initial drive. Aside from the odd half chance for the visitors from the Land of Enchantment, LAFC controlled the remainder of the period, picking and choosing when to hit dangerous through balls that its players couldn’t quite finish off until David Martínez tucked home his own rebound following a slick Bogusz feed in the 37^th minute to stake the MLS Western Conference leaders to a 2-0 advantage.

On the other side of half time, Greg Hurst gave United hope with a sizzling strike from the top of the box that nestled in the lower right corner in the 57^th minute, drawing the score to 2-1. Opportunities came and went for both sides after that, until Bogusz drove in the knife with a spectacular individual effort in the 77^th minute. The Polish dynamo embarked on a slaloming run from midfield into the left side of the United penalty area before cutting back onto his right foot and curling an unstoppable shot into the far side netting to cement the final 3-1 margin.

LAFC moves on to face the Seattle Sounders in the Semifinals, matching the club’s deepest Open Cup run since it made the Semis in 2018.