Among the positive messages Ilie Sanchez received after a disappointing Leagues Cup final in Columbus was one from his very good friend Carlos Vela.

“He actually texted me yesterday to ask how I was doing after the game,” Sanchez said Tuesday from Seattle. “I really appreciate someone like that reaching out and still showing that he cares about me and the group.”

How is Sanchez doing a few days after Cucho Hernandez got in his face with the first goal in the Crew’s 3-1 win?

“Not great,” he said. “I can only tell you how I feel and of course it’s not ideal. But it’s part of the journey. We’ve been here before. Yes, it hurts. We know what we have to do. It’s very clear. Forget it as quickly as possible and focus on the next game that’s in front of us. That’s easy to say but hard to do.”

Vela can be happy about the loss to the Crew, as last year the Mexican star beat LAFC in Ohio to win the MLS Cup. But that’s all he can do for them. The final in December was the last game Vela played in after six strong seasons as LAFC’s leader and figurehead.

While Sanchez continues to play an integral role in the success of the team, which also earns a place in next year’s CONCACAF Champions Cup thanks to the Leagues Cup, Vela enjoys his free time with his family, which he often shares with his 1.7 million followers on Instagram.

The two first played together when Sanchez joined LAFC ahead of the 2022 season and were part of the strong squad that won the organization’s only league title before competing for the title in six contests last year but ultimately coming up short.

Unlike the MLS Cup loss, there is no offseason to ease the pain after Sunday.

Instead, Sanchez and his 2024 teammates have an immediate opportunity to go big, move on and shake off the uncomfortable feeling the 33-year-old Spanish midfielder lingered with before an afternoon practice session at the 4,500-seat Starfire Sports Complex, the site of Wednesday night’s U.S. Open Cup semifinal against the Seattle Sounders.

“Winning a cup is always great. That didn’t happen and we’re moving on. It’s as simple as that,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said shortly after his team conceded two late goals as a shootout loomed. “We have an important game in Seattle on Wednesday night in the Open Cup and we’d love to host the final at BMO. That’s our goal now. We don’t have time to really think about it too much. It was a great experience. A great tournament for us. But it’s over. You won’t hear me say another word about it when we’re done here.”

Sanchez, slow to take defeat, expected the result to come up at practice. Either way, everyone knows that ending the game and getting LAFC to its first U.S. Open Cup final, at home next month, would help dislodge the Columbus Blues.