We are in the last four of the Leagues Cup, considering that no team from Liga MX qualified for the semifinals.

But the stakes remain the same, as the remaining teams are fighting not only for the trophy, but also for automatic qualification for the knockout rounds of next season’s Concacaf Champions Cup. Let’s take a closer look at the two remaining games.

The table in the West has given us a perfect match in Los Angeles. An LAFC team that has basically made it to the semi-finals with no problems will face a Rapids team that has relied on nerves of steel in dramatic, close duels.

The Rapids have eliminated three Mexican teams, including tournament favorites Club América, to advance to the semifinals on a stunning run. Now they face a familiar opponent this time around – one that crushed them 3-0 the last time they met.

Meanwhile, LAFC appeared to be the best team in the West since the start of the knockout rounds, winning its three knockout games to that point by an aggregate score of 9-1.

This game could very well be decided by who scores first. Colorado has become masters at winning close games at all costs, while LAFC are masters at taking an early lead and then cutting you off.

Black and Gold boss Steve Cherundolo said it best. “It’s like trying to catch an eel (in front of the Colorado Rapids) with your bare hands,” he said. “Sometimes it’s difficult. If you’re not careful, it’ll slip away.”

In the East, we have another matchup with a promising favorite, Columbus, and a team that may just be happy to be here in Philadelphia.

But it’s always foolish to write off a team led by Jim Curtain. The Union have found a variety of ways to win in the Leagues Cup knockouts: They easily beat Montréal 2-0, beat FC Cincinnati in a six-goal thriller and fought back with 10 men to win on penalties against Liga MX side Mazatlán.

Columbus, on the other hand, has found its own formula. And while the nerves of Crew fans may be tired of seeing their team trail by a goal or two before getting going, we neutrals have warmed to the idea that no deficit is too big for the Crew.

The MLS Cup winners are now experienced participants in knockout competitions and, unless they suffer another bout of suspected food poisoning before the semifinals, they remain the most likely favorites to win the cup.