Orange County SC midfielder Daniel Pedersen, right, and LAFC midfielder José Cifuentes vie for the ball during the second half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Danny Musovski, left, looks for an open teammate as Orange County SC midfielder Alex Villanueva defends during the first half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Orange County SC midfielder Mikko Kuningas, top, colliides with LAFC midfielder Francisco Ginella during the first half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Cristian Arango (9) dribbles the ball during the first half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match against Orange County SC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Orange County SC midfielder Mikko Kuningas dribbles the ball during the first half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match against LAFC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Orange County SC defender Kobi Henry looks for an open teammate during the first half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match against LAFC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Danny Musovski, left, scores a goal past diving Orange County SC goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky during the first half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Danny Musovski, left, celebrates after scoring a goal during the first half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match against Orange County SC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC supporters react after forward Danny Musovski, not pictured, scores a goal during the first half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match against Orange County SC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC goalkeeper John McCarthy catches a ball during shot by Orange County SC during the first half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC defender Diego Palacios, left, battles Orange County SC forward Sean Okoli as they vie for the ball during the first half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Orange County SC midfielder Mikko Kuningas argues with the referee during the first half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match against LAFC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Orange County SC midfielder Tony Rocha, left, recovers the ball during the first half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match against LAFC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Orange County SC supporters cheer during the first half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match against LAFC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Orange County SC forward Sean Okoli, right, battles for the ball with LAFC forward Danny Musovski during the first half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC defender Doneil Henry, right, vies for the ball with Orange County SC forward Sean Okoli during the first half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Cristian Arango, left, smiles after scoring a goal as Orange County SC defender Hunter Gorskie looks at the video board during the first half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC supporters celebrate after forward Cristian Arango, not pictured, scores a goal during the first half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match against Orange County SC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Orange County SC forward Erick Torres brings the ball up the pitch during the first half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match against LAFC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Orange County SC forward Sean Okoli (19) brings the ball up the pitch during the first half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match against LAFC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Danny Musovski, right, vies for the ball against Orange County SC midfielder Alex Villanueva during the second half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Orange County SC head coach Richard Chaplow looks on during the second half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match against LAFC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Danny Musovski chases the ball down during the second half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match against Orange County SC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Cal Jennings, left, hugs forward Danny Musovski after Musovski scored a goal during the second half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match against Orange County SC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder Ryan Hollingshead brings the ball up the field during the second half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match against Orange County SC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Orange County SC defender Danny Acosta reacts after being fouled during the second half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match against LAFC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Carlos Vela, left, attempts to control the ball against Orange County SC midfielder Kevin Partida during the second half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Carlos Vela attempts to control the ball as Orange County SC midfielder Kevin Partida defends during the second half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo, center, looks on during the second half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match against Orange County SC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Cal Jennings, center, reacts after scoring a goal during the second half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match against Orange County SC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Cal Jennings, center, reacts after scoring a goal during the second half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match against Orange County SC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Danny Musovski dribbles the ball after beating Orange County SC midfielder Alex Villanueva, left, during the second half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Carlos Vela looks for an open teammate during the second half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match against Orange County SC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Carlos Vela passes the ball during the second half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match against Orange County SC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Cal Jennings, left, vies for the ball against Orange County SC defender Kobi Henry during the second half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC defender Diego Palacios kneels on the turf before the first half of their U.S. Open Cup third-round match against Orange County SC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC fans hold their hands over their hearts while the national anthem plays before the team’s U.S. Open Cup third-round match against Orange County SC on Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LOS ANGELES — In the time it takes to complete a traffic-free drive from Irvine to Los Angeles, Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup third-round match at Banc of California was effectively over.
A trio of goals by the Los Angeles Football Club in the opening 45 minutes lifted the team with the best record in MLS to a stress-free 5-1 victory in its first head-to-head match against Orange County SC, the reigning United States League champions.
The return of the oldest soccer tournament in the nation followed the knockout competition’s two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the decisive result, LAFC improved to 6-2 all-time in the event and 3-0 against USL teams.
Orange County defeated the L.A. Force earlier this month to put itself in position to face LAFC, which advances to a fourth-round match that will be played on May 10 or 11, pending the draw on Thursday.
The opportunity to win a trophy and qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League is an opportunity “we take very seriously,” said LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo, who entered the contest with a 1-3 record against OCSC.
“The objective tonight was to move on and we did,” he said.
Employing a rotated lineup for its first midweek match of 2022, LAFC made changes that included forward Danny Musovski starting instead of captain Carlos Vela and goalkeeper John McCarthy in place of Canadian international Maxime Crepeau.
“Our roster is very strong and it’s tough to compete for minutes here,” Musovski said prior to the match. “I think it’s important to get minutes but I do think it’s a very important tournament. You are competing to be the best team in the United States.”
The 26-year-old from Henderson, Nevada, made the most of his opportunity, scoring in the 13th minute to give LAFC a lead it would not relinquish.
A turnover in the midfield was immediately converted into an attack following two quick passes by defender Diego Palacios and midfielder Jose Cifuentes that freed Musovski in the box, where he beat OCSC goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky low and inside the far post.
“I know Cifu is always playing that pass,” Musovski said. “I took off and when he put it there I was one-on-one with the keeper and put it in the corner.”
The Black & Gold secured its second goal in the 34th minute after Palacios, the only regular on the backline to play all 90 minutes, hit an inswinging cross that found Colombian striker Cristian Arango.
Cutting across an opposing defender to get to the ball, “Chicho” redirected the ball into the net with his right thigh.
Prior to halftime, Musovski used a beautiful back pass in the box to set up Arango for his fourth goal in the last three games.
“Everybody, as we expected, came into their roles and understood them and had good performances,” Cherundolo said.
With the exception of three changes, OCSC head coach Richard Chaplow fielded a similar lineup to the one that yielded a 1-1 draw against Sacramento Republic FC in its USL match on Saturday.
The visitors, flanked by a couple of hundred supporters among the crowd of 5,200, pushed for chances when they could.
Alexander: Once again, El Tráfico doesn’t disappoint
A dangerous shot from midfield in the eighth minute forced McCarthy to scramble back to the net for one of his two saves on the night. But when the game got away from them, OCSC was relegated to continuously defending against LAFC’s adventurous attack.
Cal Jennings, a substitute after the 60-minute mark, joined Musovski with a second-half goal to punctuate LAFC’s performance.
Orange County denied LAFC a clean sheet when forward Erick Torres cleaned up a corner kick in the 71st minute.
“There were some upsets yesterday as there always are in this competition,” Cherundolo said. “Earlier today, as well. That was the message we had this week leading up to the game.
“As much as you can tell the guys and warn them if you don’t play 100% you can get hurt and knocked out, I think we played very well.”
