What a catastrophic year for the LA Galaxy. No Riqui Puig, all the on-field havoc that provoked, and no wins in the first 16 league games — a Major League Soccer record, and a mightily impressive one — as the reigning MLS Cup champion repeatedly conceded blockheaded goals and late winners.

It’s led Greg Vanney‘s side here: 4-16-7, closing in on the club record for losses, last in the Western Conference — last in all of MLS — and with no thought of much better, the mathematics be damned. The Galaxy has been out of the conversation since at least April. They’ve gone from worst to first to worst.

It’s a big part of what makes LA’s scorching run to the Leagues Cup final four, so close to riches seemingly far from reach, so entrancing: that this disaster of a season just might turn into something kind of special.

Victory over the Seattle Sounders in Wednesday night’s semifinal at Dignity Health Sports Park would set up a shot for a trophy, also in Carson, in Sunday’s title game against Inter Milan or Orlando City — and, just as good, deliver a ticket to next year’s Concacaf Champions Cup.

Lose, in 90 or on penalties, and a CCC berth is available in Sunday’s third-place game, also on home ground. They’d prefer to claim both.