Ten years ago, Lafc was a club in its infancy of his existence. After being founded in October 2014, there was little expectation that they would become one of the largest teams in the US.
But a decade later they compete in the World Cup of Club on home floor. Their first task? Recording Enzo Maresca's Chelsea.
This would be a discouraging challenge for many, but Lafc is a team on the rise that has received considerable support to achieve their current position. It is unlikely that they will fall without a fight.
Getting a project off the ground requires faith from those involved that something special can be built. It became clear that Lafc had this when NBA legend Magic Johnson became part of their ownership group, and he was quickly followed by A-list actor Will Ferrell in January 2016.
Throw two -time world cup winner of the World Cup Mia Hamm GarciaParra in the mix and that is quite the leadership team.
But the parties are ultimately assessed on what they do on the field. Fortunately for Lafc they also delivered to that department since they came to MLS in 2018.
In just their second season, Lafc won the supporters' Shield -given to the team with the best regular seasonal record -while ex -Aarsal -star Carlos Vela earned the MVP prize.
Furthermore, silverware was just around the corner when a Gareth Bale-inspired Lafc won the MLS Cup in 2022 in addition to claiming the shield of another supporters.
Lafc triumphed in the US Open Cup last year to continue their trophy streak.
They were still not thanks to this summer's tournament, but were kicked out of Leon after the Mexican side because of rules with multiple property.
Lafc went into a play-off against Club America and set off when they fell 1-0 in a row, but a late equalizer took the game to extra time and finally 2-1 dominated in group D next to Chelsea, Flamengo and Esperance Sportive de Tunis.
It has been a trip to come to this stage. Bale and Vela helped Lafc through the early days of their growth, and with celebrities who looked from the sidelines and the possibility of living in Los Angeles, attracting speeching players has never been a problem for the club.
The legendary Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini ended his career, while proven MLS target maker Bradley Wright-Phillips also had a short spell at Lafc.
Now Lafc has two former Premier League stars in their books, including an ex-Chelsea cult hero.
Olivier Giroud spent three years at Stamford Bridge between 2018 and 2021 and often produced the goods for Chelsea when they needed him the most.
He won the Champions League, Europa League and FA during his time in West Londs, and is with great pleasure remembered by the Chelsea Faithful.
Since then he has won a Serie A title with AC Milan and has now found his way to Los Angeles.
Giroud only has five goals in 33 performances for Lafc, but Chelsea knows all too well about the threat he is in the penalty area.
The 38-year-old looks forward to looking his old club, but has admitted that much has changed since he left.
“Everything is different,” Giroud said about Chelsea, as quoted by athletics. 'From ownership, the manager … also people who work for the club, communication, marketing, there is not much to stay. But I hope I will see some familiar faces. '
The veteran striker is pleased to see how his side matches a Premier League giant and encouraged his teammates to 'seize the moment'.
“It also means a lot for fans and we can also see where MLS is now compared to Europe,” he added.
“We do this work for these types of games, so we just have to grab the moment and enjoy every moment.”
On the other side of the field is a former captain of Tottenham who will do everything he can to bring Chelsea.
Hugo Lloris, also 38, made nearly 450 performances for traces for 12 years and was involved in some fascinating battles with Chelsea.
He will be confronted against Tottenham's London rivals on Monday evening, a challenge he will enjoy.
With Giroud and Lloris to appeal, Lafc has two World Cup winners in their team. Chelsea, on the other hand, has only one – Enzo Fernandez.
But make no mistake, Chelsea are the overwhelming favorites to win Monday's game. It would be a big shock if they were beaten by Lafc, a team that is currently fifth in the MLS Western Conference classification.
Nevertheless, Lafc has taken a very long way in a short time, and with Ferrell and Johnson at the helm they have ambitious plans.
Can they numb Maresca and Co to win their biggest victory ever? We are just a matter of hours away from discovering.