Midweek Madness is officially, official this time around as Wednesday nights this month are for the Champions Cup. After grinding out an impressive 1-0 win at home over Inter Miami last week, LAFC look to take their show on the road and seal their spot in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal, with a result in Vice City. However, unlike in Columbus, the worst thing Los Angeles can do this time around is come into Miami playing not to concede and lose, instead of playing like a team looking to drive the final nail through their metaphorical coffins.
Matchday: #MIAvLAFC
⚽ @thechampions
⏰ 5:00 PM PT
🖥️ FS1 pic.twitter.com/3SXmuBMaPJ— LAFC (@LAFC) April 9, 2025
The two sides handled the past weekend of MLS action very differently all things considered. As we talked about Monday, LAFC went into Houston with a heavily rotated squad, and were victims of the trap game, losing by a goal on the road. Inter Miami opted to not just play most of the players we presume will be featuring heavy tonight, but players like Messi and Busquets played the full 90 and Suarez saw nearly 70 minutes, all to draw against Toronto. To be fair to them, they were at home this weekend which makes it much easier to rest and recover, even with a short turnaround. Still, it will be interesting to see how their legs look early in this match, as a sluggish start for the home side could be exactly what LAFC need to strike quick and really put the pressure on.
LAFC come into this one in full control of their destiny. The win at home was great, but the best thing they were able to do was not concede, not giving Miami the advantage of the weighted away goal. However now, Los Angeles has the chance to apply that pressure early and get an away goal of their own, really putting Miami on the back foot at home. It seems like a broken record at this point, but the biggest key to victory will either be defend for their lives, or what we feel is the best option, finally getting the best from some of your star players in attack. It was magical seeing Nathan Ordaz, a homegrown sensation that has developed into a real talent with plenty of room to grow, but if this team are going to finish the job in Miami, they will almost assuredly need help from the likes of Bouanga, Giroud, and a far better showing from the midfield.
How To Watch
The second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup is set for a 5:00pm PT kickoff from Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The match will be broadcast live and can be seen on FS1.
Thoughts on the Champions Cup match in Miami? Leave a comment below!