LAFC Shuts Out Messi and Inter Miami in CONCACAF Champions Cup First Leg

The recent match between Los Angeles FC (LAFC) and Inter Miami in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal showcased a remarkable defensive performance by LAFC, culminating in a 1-0 victory. Nathan Ordaz emerged as the hero of the evening, scoring the decisive goal in the 57th minute. This pivotal moment not only highlighted Ordaz's skill but also underscored LAFC’s tactical discipline and resilience against a formidable opponent featuring Lionel Messi .

Unbeaten in nine games across all competitions since the start of the season, Messi and Miami arrived in Los Angeles as the form team of Major League Soccer (MLS).

But after a cagey first half that saw neither side manage to get on top, Los Angeles raised their intensity after the break and immediately began causing problems for the visitors on Wednesday.

LAFC fullback Ryan Hollingshead squandered a golden chance in the 54th minute, blasting his shot well wide of goal after bursting into the penalty area on the overlap.

This time, Inter knows what to expect. They made quick work of Jamaican club Cavalier and another MLS side, Sporting Kansas City, to return to the last eight. And while LAFC presents a formidable challenge, facing a domestic foe and hosting the decisive second match in Ft. Lauderdale next week is far less daunting than having to beat a big-spending Liga MX team in an enormous, jam-packed, hostile stadium south of the border.

Just one top flight American or Canadian squad has claimed the Concacaf crown in the last two decades. The 2022 Seattle Sounders are the lone exception. Mexican clubs, on the other hand, have won 20 of the last 21 editions, making annual FIFA Club World Cup appearances as a reward.

Messi took two free kicks in dangerous areas in the first half, but he sailed his first over the bar and sent the second directly to Lloris.

He had a good chance in the 80th minute, but his quick turnaround shot above the penalty area was also too high. He fired another low shot at Lloris in the 86th minute, and the French keeper smothered it after a bobble.

Messi earned one last free kick off a foul on a dribble in second-half injury time, but also sailed it high.

The packed crowd included NBA great Stephen Curry, whose Golden State Warriors play the Lakers on Thursday night.

LAFC's goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris, played an instrumental role in securing this shutout, successfully thwarting numerous attempts from Messi and his teammates. The clean sheet achieved by Lloris is particularly noteworthy as it marks a significant feat; no other team had managed to prevent Inter Miami from scoring throughout their undefeated streak prior to this encounter . The victory provides LAFC with a crucial aggregate lead heading into the second leg of the competition on April 9th, positioning them favorably for progression in the tournament .

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Sarah H

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