Never has the phrase ‘must-win’ meant as much as it does this evening. As enjoyers of soccer we all know that anything can happen in a finals match, LAFC themselves know that truth all too well. However, tonight there is only one acceptable outcome for those here in Los Angeles, and that is leaving BMO as the U.S. Open Cup champions. It may seem harsh, but such is life when you’re not only a sports team in the city, but a team that has had three chances at trophies up to this point, and has failed to take home a single one of them.
Matchday: #LAFCvSKC
⏰ 7:30 PM PT
🏟️ @BMOStadium
🖥️ FREE on @AppleTV #MLSSeasonPass
🎧 @ESPNLosAngeles pic.twitter.com/lLfUPaRBIF— LAFC (@LAFC) September 25, 2024
Struggling Sporting
Sporting KC come into Los Angeles not in the best of forms. They have won just two of their last five matches, with their most recent loss the final nail in their 2024 coffin as it was the result that officially eliminated them from playoff contention. Historically it isn’t great for SKC either, having to go all the way back to August 2021 to find the last time they were able to get the best of LAFC. The positive, is that the last time SKC made the trip to Los Angeles back in March, they came away with the point in a scoreless draw. This is also the worst type of team LAFC could face in a final like this. Again, they already know playoffs are a dead dream for them, so this will be their championship. They want this trophy nearly as much, if not more, than the home side, which could be dangerous should LAFC allow them to keep this one close.
Breaking the curse
“The reality is, every game has its own story and nothing that’s happened in the past can hurt us Wednesday night, it can only help” said LAFC Head Coach Steve Cherundolo. During media availability ahead of this match, Cherundolo was asked outright about the mental weight on he and the club knowing this will be yet another chance at a trophy with the prior opportunities falling short. Cherundolo continued, “it’s a completely different game, different opponent, different time of the year, different roster. Its unfair to draw, and it makes no sense to me as the head coach for LAFC, to draw comparisons.”
We hear you Steve, truly, we get it. However, he’s wrong. Yes, there has been some roster turnover from last year but not enough to make it a completely different squad, but more importantly, this is still very much a team under the helm of Cherundolo. He is a common denominator in these matches. Results that were not even 18 months ago mind you, so we aren’t bringing up matches from 2019. Regardless, the team and coach will always say what is needed in front of media, but I am sure we can all safely presume, they know what it means. Athletes aren’t dumb, they understand the situations and what is at stake, even if they won’t admit it publicly.
That aside, if we want to talk recent, form recently for LAFC hasn’t been good, at all. They have not won a single match in their last five, with three losses and two draws. Just as much as Sporting KC want this trophy, LAFC need it. They need to prove not to us, but themselves, that they can still handle the biggest moments. That they are still a formidable opponent in all of these finals matches for a reason. The talent is obviously there, they just have to overcome what is obviously mental at this point.
How To Watch
Kickoff for this match is set for 7:30pm PT from BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, Ca. The match will be broadcast live and can be streamed on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Those looking for radio can find the broadcast on ESPN LA on 710AM.
Thoughts ahead of tonight’s US Open Cup Final? Leave a comment below!