Will LAFC Show No Mercy Against Colorado Rapids in the Leagues Cup?

Los Angeles—a city known for its excess, glitz, and glamour. The place where Hollywood stars seem to walk among us as if they were mere mortals, basking under the eternal sunshine. But now, as if that wasn’t enough, LA has birthed a new phenomenon that’s reshaping the soccer landscape in the U.S.: Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC). Heading into the Leagues Cup semifinals, LAFC faces the Colorado Rapids, a team that’s been giving the Liga MX giants a run for their money.

Looking at LAFC, you can’t help but see a squad with one clear mission: to dominate North American soccer. Since this team took shape, they’ve been an unstoppable force, a machine that seems to have forgotten what the word “quit” even means. With just one loss in their last 21 matches and a staggering 17 wins in the same stretch, it’s no exaggeration to say LAFC is on a path to becoming a dynasty.

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But could Colorado Rapids be the underdog that derails this meteoric rise? Now that’s the real question. The Rapids have had a heroic run, knocking out no fewer than four Liga MX teams, including the mighty Club América—one of Mexico’s soccer powerhouses. And don’t think it was all luck. It was grit, sweat, and a brick-wall defense led by Zack Steffen, the goalkeeper who’s become a national hero. The guy stopped everything thrown at him, then had the nerve to bury his own penalty against Club América. Yeah, you heard that right—he scored too.

Still, when you take a closer look, LAFC’s sharper than ever. Their attack is downright lethal, and their performances so far in this tournament show they’re ready to crush anyone who dares step in their path. Players like Denis Bouanga are riding so high on confidence, it’s like the field is their canvas, and every shot is a stroke of genius painting a masterpiece. Bouanga, with his 11 goals in the competition, has already outscored none other than Lionel Messi. Yeah, that Messi. The man who conquered the world. And Bouanga went past him. That’s no small feat.

While Colorado Rapids has done an impressive job up to this point, LAFC is playing at a different level. The quality gap between the two teams is pretty obvious. The Rapids’ defense, despite their heroic efforts, is about to face a relentless attack led by players who are at the peak of their physical and mental game. The irony here is that, even as underdogs, the Rapids are going to need a lot more than luck to come out on top.

What makes this matchup even more intriguing is what’s at stake. The Leagues Cup, which put MLS and Liga MX seasons on hold, has brought a World Cup-style competition to North America. And it’s not just about the trophy; both finalists punch their ticket to the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup. In other words, this is a direct path to the summit of continental soccer. There’s no room for mistakes, no time to take it easy. Whoever slips up will be left fighting for third place, which still offers a spot in the same tournament, but not with the same prestige as lifting the trophy.

So, who’s going to come out on top in this battle? The steamroller that’s been flattening everything in its path since the start of the year, or the group that’s learned to slay giants but is still searching for their first major victory against an opponent from their own league? Most of the time, the team with more resources, talent, and confidence comes out on top. And right now, that team is LAFC.