Los Angeles FC stands just one victory from its first MLS Cup appearance, and much of that comes down to a brilliant offseason that answered every doubt created by last year’s playoff miss, the first in club history.

The run to a second Supporters’ Shield in four seasons is product of a judicious rebuild of sorts — one that extended the club’s talent and depth across every swath of the field — the decision to promote former U.S. national-teamer Steve Cherundolo, in his first top-tier head-coaching job, to replace Bob Bradley, and how everything came together during a difficult preseason.

Cherundolo’s tactical acumen and managing style was transformative as LAFC (21-9-4) topped the Western Conference table all but one week early in the season, and the strength and immense depth of the club’s roster has had it pegged for the Nov. 5 final since at least June, notwithstanding that late-summer swoon. Ninety more minutes, or maybe 120 (plus penalties?), and the Angelenos are in the big game, as long as they overcome a pesky Austin FC side — with the help, of course, of their rabid fanbase — in Sunday afternoon’s Western Conference final at Banc of California Stadium.

There are no guarantees. Ilie Sanchez, maybe the most important of the offseason additions, knows this well. He made four playoff forays in five seasons with Sporting Kansas City, the most memorable with a side that went 18-8-8 to win the West in 2018 but, with a home game awaiting for MLS Cup, lost to Portland in the Western Conference final.

“I’ve been in the same exact situation that we have today in LAFC and never got it,” the Spanish central midfielder said. “I haven’t won MLS Cup. I’ve had many chances and pretty good teams to be able to achieve it. But that tells you how difficult and how bizarre sometimes this competition is, because you can have 15, 20 minutes — not even a full game — where you are not ready to go, and the other team just takes advantage.

“Everyone is ready for these games. Teams that had been struggling during the season, they show up and they have everyone available and they perform. They compete. And if you are not ready for throughout the 90 minutes, 90 plus minutes, extra time, whatever it comes to your way, you won’t advance to the next round.”