The Concacaf Champions Cup is heating up as Los Angeles FC prepares to welcome Inter Miami for a quarterfinal showdown on Wednesday night. Both teams are serious contenders for the title, and with the competition narrowing down to just eight teams, the stakes are higher than ever.
Inter Miami enters the match with confidence, remaining undefeated under their new coach Javier Mascherano. LAFC, on the other hand, is navigating a period of adjustment after significant roster changes in the off-season.
Following a loss to San Diego FC, LAFC needs a strong home performance in this first leg, especially with away goals serving as a tiebreaker. Lionel Messi has been a consistent threat for Miami, scoring or assisting in every game he has played this season. Even coming off the bench against Philadelphia Union, he quickly found the net. This scoring form suggests Miami is likely to score in Los Angeles, putting pressure on LAFC`s defense led by Steve Cherundolo.
This match will be a notable reunion between Messi and LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. They famously faced off in the 2022 World Cup final, where Argentina triumphed over France in a penalty shootout. In that thrilling game, Messi scored twice and also converted his penalty.
Match Details
- Date: Wednesday, April 2
- Time: 11:30 p.m. ET
- Location: BMO Stadium, Los Angeles, California
Messi to Start
Lionel Messi is expected to start this match after beginning on the bench against Philadelphia Union. Despite scoring as a substitute in that game, his full presence will be crucial for Miami as they seek a positive result in Los Angeles.
Inter Miami Starting XI: Oscar Ustari, Jordi Alba, Noah Allen, Maximiliano Falcon, Gonzalo Lujan, Sergio Busquets, Telasco Segovia, Yannick Bright, Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi
Previous Encounter
The last time these two teams met was in MLS play in March 2023, marking their first clash in over two years. Only a few players from the starting lineups of that game are still with their respective teams. Messi, however, did contribute an assist in that match. While the lineups have changed significantly, key players like Denis Bouanga for LAFC and Messi for Miami are still expected to be influential in determining the outcome. Miami had the advantage of resting players in their recent game against Philadelphia, which could be beneficial for this upcoming match.
Expert Betting Tip
Inter Miami to score 2 or more goals (+150): LAFC`s defense has shown inconsistency this season, highlighted by conceding three goals to San Diego FC. Given Miami`s attacking prowess, backing them to score at least twice seems like a reasonable bet. Even if Messi doesn`t start, players like Tadeo Allende have been scoring consistently, and Luis Suarez, a former MLS Golden Boot contender, adds further depth to their attack. Miami`s strong offensive lineup makes this a worthwhile wager at these odds.
Player Spotlight
Noah Allen, Inter Miami: Allen has transitioned from left back to center back and has become a key figure in Miami`s improved defense. His upcoming challenge against Bouanga will test his positional awareness and could be crucial to Miami`s chances of securing a good result in the first leg.
Key Match Storyline
Can Miami score an away goal? In a knockout competition, securing an away goal is often as important as winning the first leg. For LAFC, keeping a clean sheet at home is critical. However, given their defensive form and the strength of Miami`s attack, this will be a difficult task. If Miami can secure an away goal advantage heading into the return leg in Fort Lauderdale, it could significantly tilt the tie in their favor.
Match Prediction
LAFC`s numerous new player integrations early in the season present a challenge. While Miami also has new faces, they appear to have found their rhythm quicker. Until proven otherwise, it`s hard to bet against Miami`s ability to get results and Messi`s consistent goal contributions. Expect Miami to secure a significant away victory. Predicted score: LAFC 0, Inter Miami 2
