Why LAFC are favorites for Leagues Cup 2024 | OneFootball

Leagues Cup will be here before we know it and LAFC will have their sights set on lifting the coveted trophy between MLS and Liga MX clubs come late August.

The 2022 MLS Cup winners have been in fine form for most of the 2024 season having won three straight league matches to claim their place atop the Western Conference table. Steve Cherundolo's team came so close to winning a second consecutive MLS Cup last December, and they won't want to pass up another opportunity at silverware with players like Olivier Giroud, Denis Bouanga and Hugo Lloris in the squad.

Last year's Leagues Cup saw LAFC crash out in the quarter-finals to Mexican giants Monterrey, but there's a few reasons why that might change later this summer with Cherundolo eager of bringing home another trophy.

Here's three reasons why the Black and Gold are favorites to win Leagues Cup 2024.

LAFC look ahead to Leagues Cup / Ronald Martinez/GettyImages

LAFC have accumulated 43 points from 21 matches this season by playing a direct, rigid 4-3-3 setup. It works quite well for Cherundolo because he has the right defenders in his backline that can soak up the pressure while also containing electric players like Denis Bouanga and Mateusz Bogusz that can spring forward on counter-attacks. Should Cherundolo feel his 4-3-3 system isn't working, he has shown before that he isn't afraid of trying out formations with three center-backs, but that could largely depend on the center-backs he has available.

2. Experienced players to help lead the team

Hugo Lloris joined LAFC from Tottenham / Shaun Clark/GettyImages

With the additions of Hugo Lloris and Olivier Giroud, LAFC have constructed a team with plenty of know-how and experience on the biggest stages in world football. While Giroud and Lloris were both part of the French 2018 World Cup winning squad, the likes of Ryan Hollingshead, Bouanga, Ilie Sanchez and Jesus. Murillo are also all experienced players that were part of LAFC's 2022 domestic double winning season.

1. LAFC have one of the best attacking units in North America

Denis Bouanga hopes to retain his Golden Boot title / Shaun Clark/GettyImages

It's no secret that the Black and Gold comfortably have one of the best attacking department in North America, not just Major League Soccer. While many already know about Bouanga and Giroud -- who's yet to join as France are still competing at the Euros -- LAFC also have players such as Bogusz, David Martinez, Tomas Angel, Kei Kamara and Cristian Olivera who are all capable of changing a match at a moment's notice.