Midweek madness could never match the midweek mayhem that has been Concacaf Champions Cup football. Last night, LAFC took the pitch to host MLS giants, Inter Miami, in leg one of their quarterfinal matchup. Coming into the match, the two sides couldn’t be more different in terms of form. Miami, the team that hasn’t lost a match going back to last season, traveling to LA where LAFC have turned BMO into a fortress, even when playing at their worst. Despite the tough start, this is still a team very capable of producing magic, and last night, they did exactly that, setting themselves up for an easier time in leg two.
LA on 🔝#LAFCvMIA | @TheChampions pic.twitter.com/wtGG0SQM3c
— LAFC (@LAFC) April 3, 2025
It was the matchup that had been anticipated since we saw the Champions Cup brackets and realized it was possible, and here we are. Messi and Inter Miami up against Denis Bouanga and the star power that is LAFC. Two legs, in the most prestigious competition Concacaf has at the moment, featuring two teams that are laser focused on coming away with the trophy. The first half of last nights match was much like the first few rounds of a heavyweight fight. A lot of feeling out, a lot of touchy play, and neither side committing too hard as to avoid being hit on the counter. Inter enjoyed more of the possession in the first half, but like most of the opponents LAFC have faced this season, they weren’t able to make the most of it. For all the questions about LAFC this season, one thing is very clear, this is a very solid defensive team. Far from perfect, but most halves can hold even the deepest attack, to zero quality looks at goal.
“What we had told the players as far as tactical outlook and agenda, they fulfilled that for the most part” said LAFC Head Coach Steve Cherundolo when speaking to media after the win. “At times you sag a little deep, you allow some shots from distance, thats impossible to defend completely, and maybe the odd foul too much around the box, but for the most part we had things under control without the ball.”
LAFC came out the second half, in their typical, ‘much better second half team’ fashion. While they didn’t take control of the possession game, they did start putting the pressure on with more attacks and had Inter Miami on the back foot for the majority of the final 45. After threatening several times, the home side finally broke through in the 57th minute. The young star forward, Nathan Ordaz, was the recipient of a pass as the team built-up another attack, however, after making a few moves past a couple of defenders, Ordaz saw a chance from outside the box and took it. While it wasn’t the most potent of strikes, there was enough on it, and enough bodies in the way of the goalkeeper, to get past without too much concern.
The turn ↪️
The shot 🚀Nathan Ordaz delivers on the biggest stage.pic.twitter.com/tONEcpCYLD
— LAFC (@LAFC) April 3, 2025
The goal would be the eventual winner, with LAFC coming close to a second, but not able to find the clinical finishing needed to add another going into the road match for the second leg. “It’s really big” said Ordaz after the match. “As a forward you have to score goals, and to do it against Inter Miami, who’s a great team, and against Messi, it always feels good.” Ordaz has been a real bright spot in an attack that has floundered more times than not this season, as the youngster continues to thrive with more responsibility, and more pressure. Scoring the winner on a stage like the Champions Cup, against a team like Inter Miami with Messi on the pitch, under the bright lights of a late, crisp LA night that was still buzzing from watching Ohtani walk-off homer on his bobblehead night, is a the type of moment that creates a legend.
Now, the focus shifts two-fold as LA get set for another two match road trip. First, they pay a visit to the winless Houston Dynamo, in what feels like the biggest trap game to ever trap. Not only is it a road match against a pesky, though inferior, opponent, it comes just days before the team travel to Miami to take on Inter in the more-prioritized, Champions Cup second leg. For a team struggling to find consistency, going into Miami with two wins under your belt, and aiming for a third, could be the kickstart this team needs going forward. First, they have to get past Houston.
Thoughts on the Champions Cup win? Leave a comment below!