🔮 Previewing the all-MLS Leagues Cup semi-finals | OneFootball

We’re down to the final four in the Leagues Cup, or League Cup considering no Liga MX sides have qualified for the semi-finals.

But the stakes remain the same as the remaining teams continue to fight for not only the trophy, but automatic qualification to the Concacaf Champions Cup knockout rounds next season. Let’s dig into the two remaining fixtures.

LAFC vs Colorado Rapids

The bracket in the West has delivered us a perfect clash in Los Angeles. An LAFC team that has essentially cruised to the last four will square off with a Rapids side that have relied on nerves of steel in dramatic, tight clashes.

The Rapids have knocked out three Mexican sides, including tournament favorites Club América to pull off a staggering run to the semi-finals. Now they will have to come up against a familiar foe this time around – a foe that thumped them 3-0 last time they met.

Meanwhile, LAFC have looked to be the best team in the West since the knockout rounds began, winning their three knockout games by an aggregate score of 9-1 up to this point.

This game could well be decided by who scores first. Colorado have become masters of winning close games by hook or by crook, while LAFC are the kings of taking an early lead and suffocating you.

Black and Gold boss Steve Cherundolo said it best. “It’s like trying to catch an eel (facing the Colorado Rapids) with your bare hands,” he said. “It’s difficult at times. If you’re not careful, it will slip away.”

Columbus Crew vs Philadelphia Union

In the East, we have yet another matchup that features one expectant favorite in Columbus, and a team that may just be happy to be here in Philadelphia.

Yet counting out a Jim Curtin-led side is always foolish. The Union have found various ways to win in the Leagues Cup knockouts, easing past Montréal 2-0, beating FC Cincinnati in a six-goal thriller, and fighting back with 10 men to win in a penalty shootout against Liga MX outfit Mazatlán.

Columbus, on the other hand, have found their own formula. And while the frayed nerves of the Crew fans may be sick of seeing their side go a goal or two down before clicking into gear, us neutrals have become comfortable with the idea that no deficit is too large for the Crew.

The MLS Cup champions are now veterans of knockout competitions, and as long as they don’t get struck by another suspicious bout of food poisoning before the semi-final, they remain the likeliest favorites to bring home the trophy.