LAFC: Definitely not an underdog, but they earned their first MLS Cup

LAFC isn’t exactly what I would call an underdog. (Let’s get this little diatribe out the way before the good stuff.)

Coined the “PSG of MLS” by Designated Player Denis Bouanga, general manager John Thorrington has constructed an absurdly talented roster that is the envy of MLS. There’s also a perception from fans across MLS, including LA Galaxy fans, that LAFC are the league’s darlings and have been given preferential treatment on and off the pitch. Philadelphia Union GM Ernst Tanner openly questioned the legitimacy of some of the club’s signings at one point.

After all, the Union was denied the opportunity to host MLS Cup thanks to a technicality. Philly and LAFC ended the season equal on 67 points, but despite scoring more goals, conceding less, and claiming a superior goal differential of 46-28, MLS's first Supporters' Shield tiebreaker is total wins, which LAFC won 21-19. Catching these types of breaks does lend some credence to the notion that the Black & Gold have gotten help along the way.

This playoff run was different, though. Despite how much talent's on this roster, no one can deny LAFC haven’t fully earned their first MLS Cup.

First and foremost, luck aside LAFC earned their title by winning the Supporters' Shield and securing home-field advantage at Banc of California Stadium through the playoffs. Following a rare home loss vs. Nashville to end the regular season, Carlos Vela and co. reeled off three straight victories against the MLS elite. 

They outgunned the hottest team in the league in LA Galaxy, doing what no one else had done in slowing down Riqui Puig. 

Austin FC beat LAFC twice earlier this year including a 4-1 whooping at Q2 Stadium, but you wouldn’t know it in their Western Conference final rematch, as they were completely outclassed from the opening whistle. 

LAFC earned its title by making the right move and promoting Steve Cherundolo from affiliate club Las Vegas Lights — versus pursuing a flashier name to replace Bob Bradley. The 43-year-old was given the green light after presenting a clear vision on taking the squad to the next level.

“I think I’ve gone about coaching in different ways, and I’ve coached developmental, which is a different way to coach players,” explained the manager after his dramatic MLS Cup victory. “That’s a different goal. So you have to coach them different. Your methodology is different, and your tactics are different, as well.

"But for this particular job, during the interview process, I can share what is working, you shouldn’t change, because that takes a lot of energy and effort and resources. What’s working, hold onto, and what’s not working, change. That was my approach in the interview process and I was able to convince the right people to give me a shot, and I think they are happy with their decision now.”

In addition to successfully tweaking the system and introducing his own tactics, Cherundolo has been stellar at utilizing the superior depth at his disposal with game-changing substitutions. On Saturday, he made the correct call by dropping Carlos Vela in the 97th minute for Gareth Bale in a like-for-like swap, banking on Bale’s big-time experience to shine through when it mattered most. Bale delivered.

“This is his team," Ilie Sánchez said about Cherundolo following the win over Austin to get LAFC to the final. "This team has his identity. Everything we do and that we can achieve, it’s because of him in the first place." 

Just arriving to the Banc on Saturday was an adventure in itself, with a USC game robbing LAFC of parking for their first MLS Cup. I was staying at a hotel in downtown LA, and shortly before leaving, I went to grab something out of the car. Right next to me were four LAFC fans tailgating and in good spirits. 

On Saturday, LAFC earned their title with blood, sweat and tears. Massive credit belongs to Jim Curtin and the Union for imposing their style of play on the hosts and frustrating the Black & Gold. Had Philly played any other team in the league that afternoon, they likely walk away with the cup. But it wasn’t the Union’s day. When Maxime Crépeau suffered a fractured leg attempting to prevent Cory Burke from racing in for a certain goal, the air was taken out of the building. Now down to 10 men, LAFC were stunned when Jack Elliott tucked home John McCarthy’s rebound to take the lead 3-2 with just minutes in stoppage time remaining.

No one would have blamed the team for bowing out at that point, but somehow, somehow they still found a way to equalize the match. Diego Palacios beat several Union players before floating a cross centrally, and Bale contorted his body just enough to find the power on a towering header that beat the usually-unbeatable Andre Blake.

The roof blew off the stadium. Sitting next to me, our own Benjamin Virgin grabbed my face with two hands out of pure elation, while downstairs the ExtraTime crew were wigging out.

It was a moment.

At that point, LAFC had all the momentum, but they still had to get past Blake in the penalty shootout. No problem for Cherundolo’s group, as Bouanga, Ryan Hollingshead and Ilie Sánchez converted after Cristian Tello was stoned on the first attempt. Backup goalkeeper John McCarthy stole the show, coming off the bench cold and making two clutch saves to seal the cup for LA. 

“To be quick and simple, for 10 minutes, 15, it was like a Halloween movie. And then we finished with a Hollywood movie, like dreaming things, like something you can’t imagine can happen, can happen.” beamed a happy Carlos Vela afterward.

They earned it.