Cherundolo facing lineup choices vs. Galaxy

As lineup choices go, it doesn’t get much weightier than the options Steve Cherundolo faces for today’s U.S. Open Cup knockout match against the Galaxy.

Eight days out from the first leg of the big-as-itgets CONCACAF Champions League final in Leon, Mexico, avoiding injury is the obvious concern.

The last time the Los Angeles Football Club faced the Galaxy in Open Cup, nearly one year ago to the day, Carlos Vela was hurt 20 minutes into the match and missed several weeks. Anything resembling that now would be an avoidable worst-case scenario for the Black & Gold.

LAFC is in a terrific rhythm and, for the majority of its opponents so far, has been too much to handle. Along the way, it has managed through some injuries, particularly at center back, where

Giorgio Chiellini and Jesus Murillo are slow to recover while Aaron Long returns to full strength.

But the inevitable knocks of professional soccer haven’t diminished the club’s results, in large part because neither captain Carlos Vela nor league-leading goal scorer Denis Bouanga have missed any action over the first third of the season.

So considering the value of the Champions League final and all that comes with winning, including spots in the 2023 and 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, does an Open Cup match, even against your main rival on your home field, warrant playing anyone who would be counted upon against Leon?

Bouanga meant it when he said he was ready, willing and able to play every four days. He has done so, making 21 goal contributions in 18 appearances across all competitions.

Vela, too, was serious when he put in extra work with a personal trainer during the offseason to be fit for LAFC as it traversed MLS and Champions League, a combination that derailed many teams in their opening months.

Like Bouanga, Vela has played 18 of LAFC’S 19 games. Their lone DNPS occured two weeks ago when LAFC entered the U.S. Open Cup and won on penalties.

Cherundolo turned that match at Monterey Bay FC an offday for everyone except veteran goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic and a contingent of young talent. Because the group returned to L.A. with an emotional and unexpected victory that rippled across the organization, Tuesday’s contest against the Galaxy was tacked on ahead of the CCL final.

Through 13 league games the Galaxy have floundered, including losing to LAFC in Carson for the first time. They are the only MLS team without 10 points and rank at the bottom of the Supporters’ Shield standings. The five-time league champions have lost consecutive shutouts, and their 10 team goals match Bouanga’s Mls-leading individual total.

Despite the poor play, the Galaxy stood up in the Open Cup to grab a 3-1 win over the rotated Seattle Sounders.

Choosing between trying to bury the desperate Galaxy with LAFC’S stars or leaning on Uncle Eldin and LAFC’S kids stacks up among Cherundolo’s most important decisions so far.

“I’m going to focus like I play,” said Jakupovic, a 38-year-old Bosnian who was raised in Switzerland and played professionally in Europe prior to joining LAFC. “If the young kids are playing, hopefully they can show to the home fans that they belong in the club.

“We just have to make sure we don’t have more players on the injury list.”