Los Angeles FC handed Lionel Messi and Inter Miami their first defeat of the season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-finals.
Nathan Ordaz, a 21-year-old El Salvador international, scored the only goal in the 57th minute, giving LAFC the advantage ahead of next week’s return leg in Florida.
“It was a complete performance,” said LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo. “We just need to be more clinical in front of goal.”
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano admitted his team was not at its best but remained hopeful. “It’s only the first leg. We have another game next week to turn things around,” he said.
Miami, previously unbeaten in nine games across all competitions, struggled to break down LAFC’s defense. The home team grew stronger in the second half, with Ryan Hollingshead missing a golden chance in the 54th minute. Three minutes later, Ordaz capitalized on a defensive lapse, spinning away from Sergio Busquets and drilling a low shot past goalkeeper Oscar Ustari.
Messi, making his first start since recovering from injury, had little impact on the game. LAFC controlled the tempo, and Miami’s frustrations showed when Busquets was booked for a reckless challenge.
Messi had a late chance to equalize from a free-kick in stoppage time, but his effort flew over the bar, sealing LAFC’s well-earned victory. The second leg is set for next Wednesday, where Miami will need a strong performance to stay in the tournament.
