Dos Santos also said he hopes his players can find “a second wind,” and LAFC may need exactly that.
Three matches in eight days can drain even the deepest teams, never mind one dealing with injuries and summer churn. Reports suggest LAFC head back into league play level at the top of the Western Conference on 34 points, but the table does not erase the wear in the legs or the frustration of a cup exit that arrived on fine margins.
There is another wrinkle too:
This is where squad depth stops being a talking point and becomes the whole story.
Reports indicate Igor Jesus is still recovering from a serious knee injury, with his return date unclear after a setback. That matters in a side that usually thrives on energy, control and quick regains through the middle.
Then there is Armindo Sieb. The 23-year-old forward has reportedly arrived from Bayern Munich, but Dos Santos has indicated he will need time. That feels sensible. New signings rarely solve everything in a few training sessions, especially in attack, where timing and relationships matter most.
Defender Eddie Segura said the group was “a little sad” after the cup disappointment. Honest words, and probably useful ones. Better that than pretending nothing happened.
The next step for LAFC is not to chase a statement performance, but to rediscover rhythm. If they do find that “second wind,” this looks like a chance to reset the mood before the next stretch of league matches brings another test of depth, durability and ambition.