LAFC vs Inter Miami summary, score, goals, highlights | MLS
LAFC vs Inter Miami: As it happened
Inter Miami's incredible run continued as they swept past MLS Cup holders LAFC.
Playing in front of a raucous home crowd at BMO Stadium LAFC started as the stronger of the two sides and could have taken a commanding lead. Denis Bouanga looked lively but missed two gilt-edged chances in the early stages.
It was Miami youngster Facundo Farias who made the break-through after 15 minutes, prodding the ball home from a tight angle.
Miami took a narrow lead into the break and extended it shortly after when Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi combined to set Jordi Alba racing through on goal. The full back made no mistake and the visitors doubled their advantage. .
The game was effectively settled when Messi set up substitute Leonardo Campana to make it 3-0 with less than ten minutes remaining. The hosts got a late consolation through Ryan Hollingshead but it was Inter Miami who secured another impressive victory.
Leonardo Messi and Giorgio Chiellini embrace at full time
A nice moment to finish as two legends share a moment after the game. The queue for a post-match chat with Lionel Messi is pretty long, but Chiellini manages to secure pole position.
What are the chances of them meeting again in the playoffs?
What is Lionel Messi's Inter Miami record?
In short, it's pretty good.
Since the Argentine World Cup winner joined up with the team they have gone unbeaten across all 11 games. They have lifted the Leagues Cup, the first trophy in team history, and have made it to the final of the US Open Cup.
On a personal level, Messi has scored 11 goals and provided eight assists in those 11 matches.
Hard-fought road win for Inter Miami
After all the LAFC pressure in the opening 15 minutes, few would have predicted that Inter Miami would be leaving BMO Stadium with a win. LAFC had the best chances but Inter Miami were absolutely clinical and deserved their win.
Full time in Los Angeles!
Incredible scenes at BMO Stadium as Inter Miami storm past the MLS Cup holders to extend their unbeaten run to 11 matches.
What a run this has been for the Herons!
Appeals for a handball from LAFC! Hard to tell if the claims were valid but calls for a penalty are waved away.
The hosts keep pushing forward.
Chance! LAFC
It's been a night to forget for Denis Bouanga.
The ball drops to the LAFC striker on the edge of the six-yard box but he slashes his volley over the crossbar. That's his eighth shot of the game.
Good defending from Yedlin to block a cross but LAFC win the corner.
What can they muster?
The hosts are not giving up on this. There is very little time left but they are looking to get the ball in the box for a final push.
Murillo has been pushed forward to become an auxiliary striker.
GOOOOAAAL! LAFC
A late consolation for LAFC from Hollingshead, who nods home a header from a corner.
Six minutes of added time...
Inter Miami are completely in control now. They look assured, well-drilled and confident in their game plan.
What a turnaround it has been for the Herons!
Perhaps surprisingly, it looks like Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets will play the full 90 minutes tonight. Even now, in the final moments of the game, they still look sharp.
Campana wins a cheap free kick near to the corner flag to eat up some more time for Inter Miami.
LAFC have been pushing forward in the last ten minutes and their profligacy has been punished by a ruthless Inter Miami team.
For the first time tonight, the noise from the 3252 drops slightly.
GOOOAAAAAL! Inter Miami
Lionel Messi plays in Leonardo Camapana to seal the victory for the visitors.
Astonishing stuff at BMO Stadium!
Inter Miami goalscorer Jordi Alba is withdrawn, replaced by youngster Noah Allen.
Back to back corners for LAFC in front of the 3252 section.
Miami goalkeeper Callender is fouled on the second and his team win the free kick.
Ten minutes of normal time to go.
Murillo (LAFC)
Late challenge on Messi from Murillo on the halfway line. The LAFC defender is booked.
Yedlin (Inter Miami)
The Miami wing back is receiving treatment after getting clattered during that run forward.
He's been really good so far in an attacking sense, a constant out-ball for his team.
Yedlin comes sweeping forward on the right and plays the ball through to Campana. The Ecuadorian forward looks to chip the ball forward to Messi but there's a recovering LAFC defender to clear the danger.
Corner to Miami.
Interesting decision from Tata Martino, who looks to be sticking with the same formation but using very different personnel. Messi will now be up front with Campana, a proper Number 9.
We're into the last 20 minutes and Inter Miami make a double change.
Campana and Arroyo come on to replace Cremaschi and Farias.
Facundo Farias (Inter Miami)
The Argentine had just fluffed an opportunity to play in Lionel Messi and he sprints back to make amends. Farias pulls back Ilie in the midfielder and is rightly booked.
Chance! Hollingshead
A slightly scruffy chance for the LAFC full back who races on to a bouncing ball. He catches the ball on the volley but fails to keep his effort down.
The shot flies harmlessly into the 3252 behind the Miami goal.
Inter Miami are being pinned back now and are struggling to get out of their defensive half.
Chance! Carlos Vela
A freak deflection sees the ball trickle through to Vela on the edge of the box. He looks to arrow a low shot into the far corner but it's wide of the target.
After a slight lull, the pace of the game has ramped up once again. LAFC are keen to get back on the attack but they give away a foul in their eagerness to rob Busquets of the ball.
Good play from Cremaschi to slip in Yedlin behind the LAFC backline. He can't find the right delivery from out wide, but it looks like a real source of joy for the visitors.
Yedlin (Inter Miami)
The Miami defender is booked for a late challenge on Murillo.
Double change for LAFC as Olivera and Palacios enter the fray for the final half an hour.
Chance! Denis Bouanga
The LAFC talisman is not giving up here. He latches onto a bouncing ball on the edge of the box, takes a touch, and fires in a fierce volley.
Saved by Callender!
Mario Gonzalez gives away a foul on the edge of the Inter Miami penalty box. The LAFC striker was a little late with his challenge on Busquets.
Chance! Facuno Farias
That could have been the game for Inter Miami!
The Argentine youngster was through on goal but could only poke his shot wide of the post. A let-off for LAFC.
Immediately after that Miami goal, Chiellini was substituted for Murillo.
Incredibly, the LAFC supporters behind the goal seem to have got louder after that Jordi Alba strike. The atmosphere is absolutely bouncing.
Leonardo DiCaprio watches on, chomping on an ice cream.
The quality of the ex-Barcelona trio was there for all to see with that goal.
Nothing flashy, nothing too explosive. Just clever, crisp passes that opened up the LAFC backline.
Big task for the hosts now.
GOOOOOAAAAL! Jordi Alba
Inter Miami have their second and it's a Barcelona link-up.
Busquets finds Messi in space, he slips the ball to Jordi Alba and Miami are two goals up.
Inter Miami are on the ball and Cremaschi plays a brilliant through ball to Yedlin, sending the wing back into the box. He thrashes the ball goalwards and it hits the side netting. Wasted opportunity.
The 15-minute break certainly hasn't dampened spirits. The 3252 are just as loud and just as fervent.
LAFC start the second half as they finished the first.
Bouanga finds space on the left and whips a low cross into the middle, but no one's there to convert.
Messi hassles Chiellini for the ball in the opening stages of the second half. The Italian manages to shrug him off and clears the ball to safety.
The two old pros share a brief moment of recognition.
And we're back!
Let's have another 45 minutes like the first half, please...
One change at the break as LAFC bring on Tillman for Acosta.
Messimania takes Los Angeles
This may be an away game for Inter Miami, but that doesn't mean that there aren't Lionel Messi fans in attendance. As we are becoming accustomed to, there are 'Messi 10' shirts throughout the stands.
Will Denis Bouanga make the breakthrough in the second half?
The LAFC forward is one of the most lethal strikers in MLS and is in the running for the Golden Boot this season. But today the Gabonese forward seems a little off it and has squandered a number of good chances for his side.
In his defence, it's been his intelligence and direct running that has fashioned the opportunities for himself. He just needs to finish one now.
Selena Gomez stunned by Lionel Messi miss
There are a few human experiences that bring us all together. One of them, it appears, is disbelief at seeing Lionel Messi miss a one-on-one.
Remember where you were, Selena, it's a very rare moment.
The stars are out in Los Angeles
Some of the biggest names in the world are in attendance at BMO Stadium tonight and they will not be disappointed with that opening 45 minutes of action. Where else can you see Prince Harry, Nas and Leonardo DiCaprio in the same place?
And that's the break!
Phew...
What a half! Chances a plenty, action through out and a genuinely incredible atmosphere in BMO Stadium.
More of the same, please!
Bogusz takes the free kick but it cannons off the wall and Inter Miami win the free kick in the resulting scramble.
Kryvtsov (Miami)
Two full-bodied tackles from the Inter Miami defender sees him go into the book.
Free kick for LAFC in a central area, 25 yards from goal.
We're into the final few minutes of an absolutely thrilling half of football.
The LAFC crowd have played a huge part in the incredible pace of the game and the stands are bouncing!
There's chaos in the Miami box as Bouanga cuts in from the left and fires at goal. The crowd screams for a penalty - a possible handball on Busquets - but the appeals are waved away.
Miami have a few anxious moments but win a free kick to release the pressure.
Close! Lionel Messi
That was nearly the moment!
The Argentine twists and turns on the edge of the box, plays a quick one-two with Gomez and is in on goal. He looks to lift the ball over McCarthy but the LAFC stopper stays big to parry the ball wide.
It's a looping cross and Callender is out to claim the ball.
The Inter Miami keeper has impressed so far.
A clumsy challenge from Busquets brings down Palencia midway into the Miami half. It's Vela standing over the free kick, around 35 yards out on the right.
What can LAFC muster here?
Chance! Carlos Vela
Another opening for LAFC, this time it's the captain who races in on goal from the left. Miller gets back to push him wide and the Mexican forward can't get any power behind his effort.
Bouanga races clear down the left but is slowed by a wild lunge from Aviles. The LAFC forward is forced to play the ball inside and Miami get numbers back to defend.
As we reach the half-hour mark this game is still being played at break-neck speed. Inter Miami are struggling to take the sting out of the game and the LAFC supporters as just as loud as the first minute.
Out of possession Inter Miami are settling up with a front three. Farias is playing as the central striker, with Messi to the right and Gomez to the left.
LAFC are being incredibly wasteful in the attacking third in these early stages. Their attacking play is admirable but they could easily have scored three by now.
As it is, Miami have the lead midway through the firs thalf.
Close! LAFC
Another brilliant attacking move from LAFC finds Gonzalez through on goal. He does everything right but the Spaniard's effort hits the side netting.
LAFC look so dangerous on the break but they are playing a very different game to Nashville on Wednesday night. Miami are being allowed space to play and already there are pockets for Messi, Farias and Cremaschi to pick up the ball.
Inter Miami trying to slow things down a touch now. The home crowd are not appreciative of those efforts.
Amid the carnage of the opening minutes there's barely been a chance to reflect on that opener for Miami...
It really came from nothing. Busquets had the ball in a defensive position and sent a beautifully arcing through-ball into the path of Facundo Farias, who was running in behind the LAFC backline.
It looked as if the ball was just ahead of him, but a sliding Farias managed to slip the ball past McCarthy from a tight angle. It's 1-0 to Miami, and it's hard to know how.
HUGE CHANCE! Bouanga
The LAFC forward has yet another glorious chance, and fluffs his lines once again!
He was clear through on goal, sold Callender a dummy, then dinked the ball wide of the post. He really should have at least two goals by now.
GOOOOOOOAAAAAL! Inter Miami
Incredible stuff! Facundo Farias breaks the deadlock with a right-footed shot from a tight angle.
What a start to this game!
And now it's Inter Miami's turn to come forward. Jordi Alba plays in a dangerous ball from the left but it no one in a pink shirt is there to meet it.
Breathless stuff in the opening minutes.
Another opening for LAFC, this time it's Carlos Vela on the right. Miller manages to squeeze him wide and Callender's save is comfortable.
The drums of the 3252 pound louder now, they sense a goal is near for the home side.
Steve Cherundolo watches on, unmoved.
CHANCE! Bouanga
He had to score! The LAFC top scorer was slipped in on goal on the left but Callender manages to parry his right-footed shot wide.
Miami living very dangerously now...
It's end to end stuff as Miami come flooding forward with Messi and Cremaschi.
LAFC recover the ball and are back on the attack...
Chance! LAFC
A golden chance for LAFC, who engineer a 3 vs 2 on the break. Bounanga has the ball centrally, with Vela in space to his right.
The LAFC captain screams for the ball but Bouanga rifles a shot at goal, which is deflected out for a corner. Vela, it is fair to say, is not happy with that decision.
Inter Miami are struggling to keep hold of the ball in the opening stages and the LAFC midfielders are really snapping into challenges in the middle of the pitch. Miami will need the experience of their recent additions to guide them through these early minutes.
Corner kick from Vela is easily cleared but the LAFC captain gets a second chance to deliver. Callender gets out to claim the cross for Miami.
Early effort from Carlos Vela who latches onto a loose ball on the edge of the box. The Mexican forward lashes his volley well over the crossbar.
Bogusz (LAFC)
The Los Angeles midfielder goes into the book for a fairly innocuous foul on the halfway line. Will he live to regret that?
Even in the first moments the atmosphere is incredible. The famous 3252 LAFC supporters group are making themselves heard in the singing section and there's a real pace to the game in these early stages.
And we're off!
LAFC get us underway at BMO Stadium.
Just a final word on the teams before kick-off, LAFC goalkeeper John McCarthy joined the club from Inter Miami last year.
He now faces his old team, but one that looks slightly different to the Miami that he will remember.
The players are out on the pitch now, going through the final pre-game formalities.
We should have kick-off in the next two minutes...
Prince Harry in attendance for Messi and Miami
There is royalty in the house, and not just the Inter Miami Number 10. Prince Harry, who now lives in the United States, is one of the lucky 22,000 at BMO tonight.
It's the hottest ticket in town!
Ten minutes to go until kick-off
In some quarters tonight's game has been billed as the clash of two Number 10s, Carlos Vela against Lionel Messi. Both men captain their sides and will be looking to be the difference maker in the final third.
There's just ten minutes to go until kick-off at BMO Stadium.
Expect new-look Inter Miami after Nashville draw
Last Wednesday Nashville SC became the first team to keep a clean sheet against the Lionel Messi-inspired Inter Miami. After the game, Miami defender Kamal Miller admitted that they will need to learn a new way of playing to combat defences that sit deep.
“Credit to Nashville, they executed their game plan pretty well,” Miller told reporters on Wednesday. “Now it’s on us to go back to to the drawing board and figure out how to break down these teams.”
Charity warm-up jerseys for LAFC - Inter Miami clash
Throughout the season MLS clubs have been sporting a number of themed or charity-inspired warm-up shirts. Tonight it is the turn of charitable organisation 'Kick Childhood Cancer' which receives the support of the Inter Miami squad tonight.
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Summer signing Mario Gonzalez starts up front for LAFC tonight and will look to make his first big impact since arrival in Los Angeles. The experienced striker has scored goals in Europe but is still adjusting to life in MLS.
Speaking recently, he explained that the lack of a proper pre-season had made the adaptation particularly difficult.
“At Braga I had two months of summer then two or three weeks of pre-season, but now I come here and everyone’s in the middle of the season," he explained. "That’s been the most difficult thing.”
What is the Inter Miami line up?
Things are less predictable for Inter Miami, who start without a recognised Number 9 for their trip to the MLS Cup holders. Facundo Farias, the young midfielder, starts alongside Lionel Messi in the Herons' forward line.
Both Campana and Martinez start on the bench for Miami.
LAFC line up announced
We have team news from BMO Stadium and there's little in the way of surprises from LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo, who sticks with the familiar 4-3-3 formation. Giorgio Chiellini, a man with considerable experience against Lionel Messi, starts in the heart of the defence.
Will Giorgio Chiellini play for LAFC tonight? The 39-year-old former Juventus defender may be in the twilight of his career but he does have plenty of experience facing Lionel Messi.
Speaking ahead of tonight's fixture the Italian stopper admitted that trying to defend Messi "one-against-one is impossible." Nevertheless, Chiellini outlined LAFC's plan to blunt the incisiveness of Messi.
Messi, Busquets and Jordi Alba remain inseparable
But back to the matter at hand, Inter Miami's trio of ex-Barcelona stars have arrived for their side's clash with Inter Miami. They played together for a decade at Barcelona but don't seem to have got bored of each other's company yet; they head from the team coach to the locker room as a unit.
Elsewhere in MLS tonight...
Philadelphia Union are hosting Red Bull New York in a fascinating clash in the East. The two sides went into the break with the scores tied at 1-1, but New York are down to ten men.
They're about five minutes into the second half at Subaru Park and the scores remain level.
Inter Miami in the house
Next up it's the squad of Inter Miami who arrive at BMO Stadium ahead of the crucial MLS clash. Gerardo 'Tata' Martino has some big selection decisions to make for tonight's fixture, namely in the striking positions.
Josef Martinez started up front in the goalless draw against Nashville, but Ecuadorian forward Leonardo Campana may be a more complimentary partner for Lionel Messi. Will Tata stick or twist?
We'll find out shortly...
LAFC arrive for Inter Miami clash
Falcons' captain Carlos Vela and the rest of the LAFC have arrived at BMO Stadium in the last few minutes ahead of tonight's game.
We should have news on the line ups pretty shortly. Will LAFC boss Steve Cherundolo opt to make a change after defeat to Charlotte last time out?
Carlos Vela not concerned with Lionel Messi threat
“We are going to play against a rival team, like we always play every weekend... We are going to try to win and we don’t care who is up front.”
“We focus on our job, how to do things well and not who we play against."
"When you are the best it doesn’t matter where you go.... He plays well and the team has improved, it’s normal.”
Preparations underway for Inter Miami
The Herons will be in their iconic pink strip for tonight's visit to Los Angeles. We haven't had team news from Gerardo Martino's side just yet but we're expecting a full-strength line up from Miami as they look to bounce back from a 0-0 draw with Nashville.
Big crowds to welcome Messi and Miami
There's about 90 minutes to go until kick-off and the Inter Miami team bus has just rolled up at BMO Stadium. We haven't had team news yet but Miami had coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino has confirmed that Lionel Messi will start against LAFC.
Last time out Nashville SC became the first team in ten attempted to keep Messi quiet for Miami, can LAFC repeat the trick tonight?
There's less than two hours to go until kick-off between LAFC and Inter Miami and the crowds are starting to grow at BMO Stadium. It's one of the most intriguing games of this, or any other, MLS campaign and we'll be bringing you full minute-by-minute coverage right here.
Of course, you can also watch all the action live with Apple TV's MLS Season Pass. Here's everything you need to know...
Preparations are underway in Los Angeles
Supporters of LAFC are gathering around BMO Stadium ahead of tonight's massive clash with Inter Miami. The LAFC fan groups are known as some of the most fervent in US soccer and they will be packing their 22,000-seat home field for the game.
Tonight: LAFC take on Inter Miami
We're still a few hours away from kick-off at BMO Stadium but the anticipation for tonight's clash is already rising. LAFC are on home turf and are one of MLS' strongest sides, but Inter Miami look rejuvenated since the arrival of Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
Who will win out?
Tickets to see Lionel Messi and Inter Miami now rank among the most expensive in regular season sports fixtures. Messi-mania has taken over the United States and brought huge commercial benefits for Miami and for the league as a whole.
But Miami are certainly paying for privilege of having the Argentine World Cup winner in their squad. Ahead of tonight's fixture we take a look at Lionel Messi's salary, and how it compares to his teammates...
Carlos Vela takes centre stage for LAFC
There can be no doubt that Carlos Vela is one of the most influential players in the modern history of MLS. The Mexican forward may be approaching the end of his stellar career, but with a decade of top flight action in England and Spain under his belt he is still one of the league's most dangerous attacking players.
Here, in this video shared by LAFC, teammates past and present play tribute to The Falcons' Number 10.
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Will Lionel Messi start against LAFC?
That's the question that has been on the lips of Inter Miami fans all week. Earlier today Miami head coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino confirmed that the Argentine forward will feature from the start as his side take on the MLS Cup holders.
Don't miss LAFC vs Inter Miami!
We will be bringing you full live coverage of tonight's clash between LAFC and Inter Miami, the stand-out game from MLS this weekend.
However you can also tune in to watch the game live on Apple TV's MLS Season Pass. Here's everything you need to know.
Two of the biggest stars in the league go head-to-head tonight. Both LAFC star Carlos Vela and Inter Miami's Lionel Messi wear the captain's armband for their respective teams and they will hope to be the key influence on the pitch.
Both are well into their 30s, but possess a level of technical ability and penchant for the spectacular that few players in MLS can match. Who will come out on top?
Inter Miami prepare for LAFC challenge
There are fewer tougher trips in MLS than a road game at BMO Stadium, the home of the MLS Cup holders. LAFC lost last time out against Charlotte FC but there are a genuine powerhouse opponent with a fearsome attacking trident.
Inter Miami, who were kept at bay by Nashville SC a few days ago, will have to be at their very best to leave the West with three points.
Hello and welcome to AS USA. We will be bringing you all the build up to and live coverage of LAFC vs Inter Miami.
It's one of the most hotly-anticipated fixtures of the season so far, the MLS Cup holders taking on the league's in-form side. It's Los Angeles vs Miami. It's West vs East. It's Carlos Vela vs Lionel Messi.
Strap yourselves in, this could be a truly memorable night of action from the BMO Stadium.