The performance of the Black & Gold in the Leagues Cup, especially in the knockout rounds, underlines this statement.

After finishing second in their group, LAFC has outscored their opponents 9-1 in their three direct elimination matches since then – most recently with a dominant 3-0 result at Seattle Sounders FC in the quarterfinals – and can now achieve a Leagues Cup goal in front of their home fans.

“That is the number one priority of this tournament, to get one of the coveted Champions Cup places. That is the first point of this tournament,” said Cherundolo. “When you are in a final, I am pretty sure every player would like to win a final and lift a trophy.”

Still, Cherundolo cautioned against considering LAFC as “clear favorites” against a dangerous Colorado side, which has become the competition’s Cinderella fairytale after eliminating four straight LIGA MX opponents en route to the semifinals.

“The mood is good,” Rapids head coach Chris Armas said of his team’s Leagues Cup run, which included a dramatic penalty shootout win over Club América in the quarterfinals. “Wins like that, drama against a team like Club América, four Mexican teams in a row. Only that can give teams and individuals real confidence that they can compete with anyone, that they can win.”

“So the mood is good.”

So good, in fact, that midfielder Djordje Mihailovic believes Colorado can avenge the 3-0 defeat at BMO Stadium when the two teams last met on Matchday 23 of the 2024 MLS regular season.

“We know we didn’t play our best game last time here. We know what it takes to beat these teams,” the USMNT midfielder said. “We beat them at home (3-2 in March), they beat us here and all good things come in threes.”