Is there anything more exciting in sports than a good old revenge story? That is what the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) and Columbus Crew as they prepare for the Leagues Cup final. And believe me, this is not just another game. It’s about hurt pride, broken promises and yes, revenge.

First of all: LAFC. They are not only looking to win a title, they are returning to the place where they were knocked off the MLS throne. The Columbus Crew, with their usual ice-cold composure, taught LAFC a tough soccer lesson in the MLS Cup final just nine months ago. For LAFC, that wound is still fresh. They haven’t forgotten it. And honestly, that alone would be motivation enough, but there’s more.

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The real blow came in July when the Crew humiliated LAFC again, this time with a crushing 5-1 loss right at BMO Stadium. A loss like that really hurts. And if there’s one thing athletes hate, it’s being relegated to extras in their own stadium. Denis Bouanga didn’t mince his words: “This time it will be different. We will do everything we can to win this time.”

But hey, LAFC isn’t the only one with revenge on its mind. Columbus Crew has a bone to pick, too. After being eliminated from the Concacaf Champions Cup final in an almost absurd manner – due to food poisoning that struck the team – yes, the players are trying to survive bad tacos before one of their most important games of the year. Honestly, who wouldn’t feel a twinge of revenge after a loss like that?

Cucho Hernández says it clearly. For him, this is not about revenge against LAFC, but rather a personal reckoning. It’s about showing himself that the humiliating loss in Mexico was just a minor setback. And let’s be honest – few things spur a player on like the urge to prove he still has what it takes to be the best.

When you watch this final, it’s hard not to see that there’s a deeper story behind it. We’re talking about two teams that, under normal circumstances, would have plenty of reasons to challenge for the trophy. But this? This is personal.

Wilfried Nancy leads his team with a quiet confidence – almost arrogance. I mean, he’s beaten LAFC before, so why wouldn’t he do it again? Sure, LAFC’s roster is full of stars, but the team? It has that quiet strength, the calm of a team that has beaten its rival before and knows it can do it again.

And then there’s LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo, who is under pressure himself. He knows his team is good enough to beat anyone, but he also knows that finals are where legends are made or died. If he doesn’t deliver now, the shine of his past victories could fade faster than he’d like.

For LAFC, it’s about proving they’re still the number one team in the league and that the losses before were just a fluke and not the new normal. For the Crew, it’s about securing their promotion and showing that winning the MLS Cup wasn’t just a fluke, but the beginning of a new era.

Of course, there is also the technical side. Cherundolo said that one should not expect any wild tactical surprises in this final. Both teams know each other inside out and it will probably be one of those close games where every mistake counts and the pressure builds little by little, like a python squeezing its prey. But honestly, who cares about tactics when the real drama on the pitch is about pride and redemption?