PV: LAFC’s an Incredible team. They've got a great roster and that’s obvious. They're going to feel compelled to bring the game to us, being at home. I think these are the games where you have to have bravery and a real commitment. You have to show courage in really important moments of those games.
The game will be played at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles – how will that influence things?
SC: Playing at home can be an advantage for us if we play with intensity. And if we attack. These are the moments our fans are looking for. And they always reciprocate in energy and song.
PV: What our mentality has to be is that we're not going to play at their place – in LA. We're actually going to play a Final. There's a big difference between just going to play a regular season game at their place and vice versa. That's really got to be our perspective and our mentality. And we have to give it all.
No matter the winner, history will be made. LAFC could win a first Open Cup and Sporting KC can become the first MLS team to win a fifth. Does that enter your mind at all?
SC: For LAFC, continuing to grow as a club while adding trophies is key. The infrastructure, fanbase and city deserve nothing less.
PV: Those things aren't really ever on my mind, at least at this point in my career. I just don't really think about them. I truly am about the present when I'm coaching. Maybe later, after it’s all over, that’s something to think about. But not now.
What’s the most important thing to get right in the days leading up to a Final?
SC: Ideally, we remain healthy and can prepare our starting XI plus options off the bench for the full three days leading into the Final. Mental and physical freshness is very important for our group to be successful.
PV: Guys are going to feel the stress of being in a Final. That’s natural. You’ve got to find a way to relieve that pressure. You got here because of the things that you've done really well. We're not all of a sudden going to change who we are overnight. We’ve got to be us. My job is to try to relieve the pressure but also to make sure the guys know what to expect in all situations. They shouldn’t be in a place where they're struggling to get solutions. I want to keep it light. But I also want to keep it focussed.
Fontela is editor-in-chief of usopencup.com. Follow him at @jonahfontela on X/Twitter.
