Your kick-off on Tuesday: Can LAFC break its final curse?

Suddenly, the US Open Cup seems much more important to LAFC. They may still be the best team in the Western Conference and could still end up in the MLS Cup presented by Audi. However, it hasn't looked like that lately.

LAFC hasn't won its last five games. They beat Seattle in the USOC semifinals, but that's just halfway between five straight poor results and a loss in the Leagues Cup final to Columbus.

At its core, this isn't just a cup game. This is a game about getting it right. If LAFC doesn't beat a 12th-ranked Sporting KC team at home in a make-or-break final, it's time to start asking serious questions. If they can do that, maybe this is the game that gets them back on track for the final four games of the season as they move toward the playoffs.

LAFC needs a confidence boost almost as much as they need the trophy, but they really need the trophy, especially after losing their last four finals (2023 Concacaf Champions Cup, 2023 Campeones Cup, 2023 MLS Cup, 2024 Leagues Cup).