A goal by Nathan Ordaz in the second half secured victory for Los Angeles FC over Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in their first-leg quarterfinal match.
Los Angeles FC (LAFC) handed Lionel Messi and Inter Miami their first defeat of the season, securing a surprising 1-0 win in their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal first-leg encounter.
Nathan Ordaz, an El Salvador international born in Los Angeles, scored in the 57th minute to give LAFC an important lead going into the return leg in Florida next week.
Despite being unbeaten in nine games this season, Messi and Miami, the in-form team of Major League Soccer (MLS), couldn’t overcome the challenge presented by Los Angeles.
After a cautious first half, both teams failed to dominate, but Los Angeles increased their intensity in the second half, causing problems for the visitors.
In the 54th minute, LAFC’s Ryan Hollingshead missed a great opportunity by shooting wide after entering the penalty area on the overlap.
Three minutes later, the home team broke the deadlock when 21-year-old Ordaz evaded Sergio Busquets and scored a low shot past Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari.
Despite Messi’s return to the starting lineup after an injury layoff, he struggled to make an impact in the game.
LAFC appeared more likely to score in front of the enthusiastic home crowd at the BMO Stadium, which included notable figures like Stephen Curry, David Beckham, and Lionel Scaloni.
In the 63rd minute, US international Aaron Long headed over from a free-kick, and shortly after, a goal-line block from Miami’s Maxi Falcon saved a shot from LAFC’s Timothy Tillman.
Falcon had one of Miami’s few chances in the second half, but LAFC’s goalkeeper Hugo Lloris handled his header comfortably.
Tensions escalated for Miami as Busquets received a yellow card for a dangerous challenge on Cengiz Under.
Messi’s night ended disappointingly as he failed to convert a free kick deep into stoppage time, with his shot flying over the bar as LAFC secured a well-deserved victory.
