LAFC: possible starting lineup for the 2024 Leagues Cup final against Columbus Crew

Who will succeed Inter Miami as Leagues Cup champions?

As was the case in December 2023, Los Angeles FC travel to Ohio to face the Columbus Crew again. Little under a year ago, the two teams contested the MLS Cup and this weekend they are back to battle it out for the Leagues Cup - the tournament that pits MLS teams against their counterparts from Mexico’s Liga MX.

Back in December 2023 and the MLS Cup final played at Lower.com Field, Columbus, Ohio - the same venue that will host tomorrow’s League Cup clash; first half goals from Cucho Hernández and Yaw Yeboah were enough to see the Crew come home with the trophy. Denis Bouanga’s late consolation being too little, too late for the Black and Gold.

The game will serve as a perfect opportunity for LAFC to avenge December’s loss with Cherulondo’s men being outplayed for large swathes of the final.

LAFC’s road to the final

At BMO Stadium on Wednesday night, LAFC outplayed the Colorado Rapids with Mateusz Bogus and veteran striker Kei Kamara putting the home side 2-0 up late in the first half before Dénis Bouanga and Lewis O’Brien sentenced the game after the break.

On being pitted against Columbus in another final, the LAFC coach stated: “It’s interesting. It’s very interesting because both clubs know each other better,” Cherundolo began by saying about the rematch. “But I’m not sure that makes it any less important or special. Any opportunity to win trophies is important for us and that’s our goal and all we’ll be thinking about in the next few days”.

Cherundolo to stick to his guns

With no injury concerns for the Black and Gold, everything points to the LAFC coach repeating the same team who put four past the Rapids in the semi-final.

Possible LAFC XI for Leagues Cup final

Hugo LLoris, Long, Murillo, Chanot, Atuesta, Illie, Palencia, Hollingshead, Bouanga, Kamara, Bogusz.