The match swung sharply after halftime. Real Monarchs SLC had taken the first-half edge at 1-0, but Los Angeles FC 2 responded strongly and outscored the visitors 2-1 in the second half to leave the score tied at 2-2 overall. With no further goals added after that turnaround, the contest moved to penalties.
That was where the visitors held their nerve. The shootout stretched deep before Real Monarchs SLC finally came through 9-8, turning a dead-even game into a winning result. For Los Angeles FC 2, it was a painful finish after recovering from behind and forcing the match all the way.
The stats and overall summary underline just how tight it was. The main highlights were concentrated in three bursts - the away lead before the interval, the home side's response after the restart, and the decisive penalties. Played at Rawlinson Stadium, this was a match separated by the slimmest margin after 90 minutes and settled only when the shootout reached its closing kicks.