Our first group stage game sees us face late-entrants Los Angeles FC, who were granted the opportunity to get Club León’s spot after the Liga MX side were kicked due to their shared ownership structure with fellow qualifiers Club Pachuca. LAFC beat Club América in a one-game playoff to earn their chance against Chelsea, Flamengo, and ES Tunis.

Former USMNT fullback Steve Cherundolo has preferred a 4-3-3 through his tenure at LAFC. But if he wanted to revert to a more defensive-minded shape with a back three or a back five, he has the center backs to do so.