Los Angeles FC are "an another level" to many of their MLS rivals after booking the final place at the Club World Cup through a dramatic extra-time goal from Denis Bouanga.
That is the view of head coach Steve Cherundolo, whose team overcame Liga MX giants Club America 2-1 at BMO Stadium in a play-off to reach the revamped tournament on Saturday.
One spot in Group D at the tournament, alongside Chelsea, Flamengo and ES Tunis, was open due to Mexican side Leon being disqualified over a breach of FIFA's multi-club ownership rules.
The victor of Saturday's one-off game in California was thus guaranteed a series of huge matchups and at least $9.55million in prize money, with a shot at nearly $100m more should they go deep in the tournament.
It looked like Club America would take that prize when Mark Delgado caught Erick Sanchez with a high boot just inside the box, allowing Brian Rodriguez to beat Hugo Lloris from the penalty spot in the 64th minute.
But after Olivier Giroud was denied by Luis Malagon, LAFC forced extra time in the 89th minute, Igor Jesus rising to head Bouanga's corner from the left side home.
And after 25 tense additional minutes, a flowing LAFC move culminated in Bouanga stepping onto Giroud's lay-off and sending a deflected strike into the bottom-left corner.
LAFC will now join Inter Miami and the Seattle Sounders at the Club World Cup, and while Cherundolo is excited to fly the flag for the United States, he also knows they have a chance to steal a march on their domestic rivals.
"This probably is the best performance of the season, even though there were mistakes made," Cherundolo said.
"But I think to be able to go down and to come back and to score and always be dangerous, and to manage the game like we did...
"It means us as a group, first and foremost, the players, coaches, we have an enormous amount of togetherness.
"As a club, I think it puts you above and beyond many, many other clubs in MLS, I think it puts you on a different level.
"It is also a help for the entire league, putting the league on the map at the Club World Cup with one more team."
Club America boss Andre Jardine, meanwhile, said the pain of Saturday's defeat will linger for some time.Â
"It's difficult to make judgment right now when the emotions are high. I need some time to analyse this situation with a cool head," he said. "We really wanted to take the next step.Â
"Something is still missing. The fans' pain is our pain. We will have to get through it together. It's still too soon to evaluate things with a clear head."
LAFC will open their Club World Cup campaign against Conference League winners Chelsea on June 16, before facing ES Tunis and Flamengo.
