LAFC - Inter Miami live online: Goals, stats and score | MLS updates
Two of the strongest squads in MLS history face off at LA Memorial Coliseum. Son Heung-min goes up against Lionel Messi.
Show key events only
LAFC - Inter Miami: Live updates
Inter Miami 2026
The first starting XI of the season for Inter Miami, the reigning MLS Cup champions.
Two corners in quick succession for LAFC.
The second is played short to Denis Bouanga, who darts into the Miami box before being dispossessed by Berterame. Bouanga has caused Miami real problems from the start here.
Nothing comes of the LAFC corner kick and Inter Miami are back on the ball.
They have dominated possession in the early stages but it hasn´t been a particularly assured performance so far. For all their firepower, there are certainly gaps in this Miami team.
Son´s free kick clips the Miami defensive wall. The rebounds is deflected wide for a corner kick to LAFC.
Free kick to LAFC on the edge of the box after David Martinez is felled by Noah Allen.
The position is left-of-center, perfect position for Son Heung-min's right foot...
Bouanga comes close for LAFC
A moment of real quality from Denis Bouanga, jinking inside from the left flank and surging towards goal. He is pushed wide by Falcon and can't get his shot on target, poking the ball out of play.
It's a goal kick to Inter Miami but that was another sign of LAFC's quality.
Ten minutes in, the game is going pretty much as expected.
Miami are dominating the ball, passing and probing, and LAFC and looking to strike on the counter-attack.
Inter Miami's high defensive line looked a bit vulnerable there, susceptible to the pace of Son and Bouanga.
Keep an eye on that for this evening, and possibly the rest of the 2026 season..
So close for LAFC!
Huge moment as Son Heung-min is played through on goal. he is pushed wide by Dayne St. Clair and forced to pass the ball back to Bouanga.
Bouanga strikes firmly but St. Clair palms the shot over the crossbar.
Clear to see that Messi is starting as a No. 10 this evening, with Silvetti and Allende operating as more conventional wingers on either side. As expected, Berterame leads the line for Miami.
First sight of goal for Lionel Messi, racing onto a clipped ball over the top of the LAFC defense. Looked like he might be in on goal but Hugo Lloris sprints out to claim the ball.
Sharp goalkeeping from the LAFC stopper.
Confident start from Miami, knocking the ball around coolly in Los Angeles. Son is starting as the central striker for the hosts, with Bouanga playing off the left.
Incredible noise in Los Angeles for tonight's game. We're expecting a sell-out at the 77,000-capacity venue.
The LAFC fans in great voice from the off!
And we're off!
Inter Miami get this game underway at the Coliseum...
The teams are out!
Just minutes to go until kick-off now. Who will come out on top?
It is no surprise to learn that Lionel Messi is the best-paid player in MLS history. But the full extent of his Inter Miami contract is truly extraordinary.
Nevertheless, the two-time MLS MVP is proving good value for money in Miami...
The big signing, Inter Miami: German Berterame
There was no shortage of offseason moves from Inter Miami. Dwayne St. Clair is the reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, Micael has been a Defender of the year candidate, while Sergio Reguillon arrives after a career in the Premier League.
But it is the signing of German Berterame from Monterrey that represents the biggest potential game-changer for the Herons. An all-action striker and proven goalscorer, the Mexican forward could be a revelation for Miami this year.
The big signing, LAFC: Stephen Eustaquio
LAFC made a major move in the offseason, bringing in Canadian international Stephen Eustaquio from FC Porto. The 29-year-old midfielder has been a regular with the Portuguese giants since joining the team in 2022 and he will add real guile to the LAFC team.
Comfortable playing as the deeper midfielder, building the play, or as a box-to-box No. 8, Eustaquio elevates the on-ball quality of this LAFC team and should help Marc dos Santos shift to a more possession-based style in 2026.
Son Heung-min ignores the Lionel Messi talk
Ahead of tonight's game, a lot of the talk has focused around the superstars on each team. Son Heung-min was one of the most consistent performers in the Premier League for a decade, while Lionel Messi needs no introduction.
But for Son, tonight's game is not just a meeting of two players. He prepares to see it as LAFC vs Inter Miami: “I don't want to talk about Messi... That's because, probably, everyone's talking about him enough, and we all know that he's the best player and such a big influence on their game.”
“But I don't look at a football as an individual thing, and he's obviously on a different level to any other player,” he continued.
"So I'm looking forward to that game. LAFC against Inter Miami, everybody is looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to playing as a team, hopefully winning, and celebrating as a team. That's how I separate the game,
LAFC and Inter Miami players take to the field. / KEVORK DJANSEZIAN / Getty Images via AFP
Stars arrive at the Coliseum
The players of LAFC and Inter Miami are beginning their warm-ups in Los Angeles, on a balmy February evening. Son Heung-min gets a huge round of applause as he jogs out onto the field, will he prove decisive for LAFC tonight?
Full list of MLS fixtures for opening weekend 2026
Here's the schedule for the opening night of the 2026 MLS season. LAFC - Inter Miami is undoubtedly the biggest clash of the day but there is plenty to enjoy elsewhere.
In the early games St Louis City drew 1-1 with Charlotte, while FC Cincinnati beat Atlanta United 2-0. Plenty more fun to be had before the night is out...
Inter Miami finally clinched MLS Cup in 2025.
Can Inter Miami go back-to-back?
Who was the last team to win consecutive MLS Cups? Inter Miami are looking to become the first team since the 2011/2012 LA Galaxy team to successful retain a championship in MLS.
It would be a historic achievement for Javier Mascherano's side but they certainly have the quality.
Less than an hour to go until kick-off at the Coliseum in Los Angeles. We will have full minute-by-minute coverage here on AS USA, but you can also choose to stream the game wherever you are in the world.
LAFC team news: Full-strength hosts
If there is a better strike force in MLS, it is probably this one...
Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga lead the line for LAFC, with new signing Stephen Eustaquio starting in midfield after his offseason move from Porto.
Inter Miami team news: Lionel Messi starts
Fear not, Lionel Messi is in the Miami XI for today's game. He starts as a fluid three alongside Tadeo Allende and Mateo Silvetti, with German Berterame leading the line for the Herons. Is there a better offensive unit in MLS?
LA Memorial Coliseum ready for LAFC - Inter Miami
One of the most iconic venues in US sports, the LA Memorial Coliseum, will be the host for tonight's MLS clash. Opened in 1923, the multi-sport venue has hosted many of the biggest sporting event in the world, including the Super Bowl, World Cup and Olympic Games.
Tonight, it will host LAFC - Inter Miami.
Son Heung-min ready for Inter Miami challenge
"We have a huge respect for this Miami team, of course they won the league last year."
"We are here to try to start well. it's an amazing stadium, amazing weather. We're ready to rock and roll."
Atmosphere builds in Los Angeles
They may be one of the league's newer teams, but the LAFC fans are up with the very best in MLS. More proof will be on show tonight...
Inter Miami team news
The big question mark ahead of tonight's game was the fitness of Lionel Messi, who was forced to pull out of team sessions earlier this month due to a muscular issue. After a brief spell of worry for Miami fans, head coach Javier Mascherano was able to give some good news this week and confirm that Messi will be fit to play against LAFC.
“Messi is fine; he's been training at the same level as the rest of the team all week,” said Mascherano. “He's been doing well and has had very positive feelings. So, he's going away well prepared, just like the rest of the team.”
Ahead of the new MLS season, Inter Miami have been cited as the favorite to retain their MLS Cup in 2026. But there is plenty of competition across the league, with LAFC among the strongest contenders to challenge for a title.
Potential championship clash between LAFC and Inter Miami
"It's clear, though, that they are two great teams, and of course, given the caliber of their players and what they represent in the league, they are two teams that, on paper, should be contenders."
"You always imagine the ideal game, and the ideal game for us would be the complete opposite of that, a back-and-forth affair. It would be about controlling the game, having long spells of possession, and preventing Los Angeles from making transitions because they need to get forward quickly."
Inter Miami looking sharp for the new season
Once again, Inter Miami's preseason schedule has taken them overseas for a series of games against international opposition. This year's schedule has been a bit lighter and the players are looking sharp ahead of Saturday's curtain-raiser against LAFC.
LAFC are ready for Inter Miami challenge
“We're excited about it. We understand that we're playing last year's MLS Cup champion, a big team in this league. To start with this opponent, it's the best choice possible, especially here in Los Angeles. We're ready. It was important to give a good sign in Honduras and to set the table for this game. It's going to be an amazing game against an amazing opponent. ”
LAFC host Miami at the Coliseum
For the first time in team history, LAFC will be playing at the iconic LA Memorial Coliseum as they host Inter Miami today. The 77,500-capacity stadium is one of the most iconic sporting venues in the United States and has an incredible back-story. The Coliseum has hosted Olympic Games, Super Bowls and World Cups, and now hosts the big game of the opening weekend of MLS action.
Fans from all around the world will be tuning in to watch LAFC - Inter Miami on Apple TV. We will have live text commentary right here on AS USA, but here's your streaming options for tonight's game...
LAFC - Inter Miami: Live on AS USA
Hello and welcome to AS USA for our live coverage of the stand-out game of the opening weekend of the 2026 MLS season.
LAFC play host and will look to build on the burgeoning partnership of Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-min, potentially the most devastating attacking partnership in the league.
For Inter Miami, a team with Lionel Messi and Rodrigo de Paul has been strengthened considerably over the offseason as they look to retain their MLS Cup crown.
I'm Will Gittins and I'll be bringing you full live coverage right here on AS USA. Away we go!
Complete your personal details to comment