LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles FC scored two goals in a three-minute span to take a 2-0 victory against Fresno FC in the Fourth Round of the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup before a crowd of 7,500 fans at Banc of California Stadium, ending the Foxes’ first run in the historic tournament.

Fresno recorded the opening shot on goal in the first minute as Christian Chaney fired wide of the left post, but from there the hosts took control for most of the first half. Los Angeles’ pressure began to build as the visitors were unable to control much possession, and Foxes goalkeeper Kyle Reynish had to make saves on shots by both Calum Mallace on the half-hour mark and Tristan Blackmon three minutes later to keep Fresno on level terms.

The Foxes almost grabbed an opportunity early in the second half, however, as LAFC goalkeeper Tyler Miller mishandled a cross from the right that saw the ball fall free in the middle of the penalty area. Fresno midfielder Agustin Cazarez reacted quickest, but his finish drifted just wide of the right post.

The hosts then took the lead in the 53rd minute as a corner kick from the right fell to Diego Rossi in the six-yard area to allow the forward to just put his finish over the line as the Foxes tried to clear. LAFC didn’t take long to double its lead as Latif Blessing put home the rebound after Mallace’s initial shot had been blocked.

Fresno pushed to try and get back into the game as Jemal Johnson had a shot blocked away from the left side of the penalty area with 13 minutes to go. Juan Pablo Caffa also fired a low shot wide from 25 yards four minutes later, while Danny Barrera forced a low save by Miller with a shot toward the bottom-right corner, but LAFC held firm defensively to close out victory in their debut in the tournament.

Scoring:
53’ – LAFC – Diego Rossi (Dejan Jakovic)
56’ – LAFC – Latif Blessing

Los Angeles FC: GK Tyler Miller; D Tristan Blackmon, Dejan Jakovic, Walker Zimmerman, Jordan Harvey; M Aaron Kovar (Shaft Brewer 63’), Eduart Atuesta (Mark-Anthony Kaye 78’), Calum Mallace; F Lee Nguyen, Adama Diomande (Diego Rossi 46’), Latif Blessing

Substitutes Not Used: GK Charlie Lyon, Steven Beitashour, Joao Moutinho, Benny Feilhaber

Fresno FC: GK Kyle Reynish; D Zach Ellis-Hayden (Ramon Martin Del Campo 60’), Mickey Daly, Cory Brown, Bradley Kamdem-Fewo; M Danny Barrera, Juan Pablo Caffa, Agustin Cazarez, Jemal Johnson; Christian Chaney (Jose Cuevas 71’), Renato Bustamante (Pedro Ribeiro 61’)

Substitutes Not Used: GK Sam Howard, Rony Argueta, Terran Campbell, Matthew Baldisimo