If MLS handed out The Underlying Numbers' Darling of the Year Award, LAFC would've walked right up on stage and made a tasteful acceptance speech after their regular season campaign. They finished the year with the best xG differential in the league, according to FBref. Between Dénis Bouanga, Mateusz Bogusz, Olivier Giroud, and plenty of others, it's oh-so-easy to fall in love with LAFC's trophy chances. They're an elite team with elite talent and very few extreme flaws, which is a rarity in MLS.

If they're so great, why aren't they ranked a couple of spots higher? Well, because I have legitimate worries about their ability to beat the Columbus Crew. They failed to do that in MLS Cup in December of last year. They failed at home in July. They failed in the Leagues Cup final in August.

Those losses to the Crew -- and their 4-2 defeat against the Galaxy last month -- have exposed a lack of defensive focus and execution from coach Steve Cherundolo's team. Toss in a giant question mark around Jesús Murillo's injury at center back and you've got a reason to worry about the data's favorite team.

Then again, the attack could keep dominating and the defense could tighten up. Everything's on the table.