In a thrilling showdown at BMO Stadium, Los Angeles FC (LAFC) edged out Inter Miami 1-0 in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal on April 2, 2025. Nathan Ordaz, the 21-year-old homegrown talent, delivered the decisive blow with a stunning goal in the 57th minute, marking a significant moment in the tournament.
Ordaz's strike came after he skillfully maneuvered past veteran midfielder Sergio Busquets, unleashing a powerful low shot from outside the box that found the bottom corner of the net, leaving Miami's goalkeeper Oscar Ustari with no chance. This goal not only secured a crucial lead for LAFC but also showcased Ordaz's potential as a rising star in the league.
Despite their loss, Inter Miami dominated possession throughout the match, holding over 58% of the ball in the first half. However, they struggled to convert that control into meaningful chances, thanks in large part to LAFC's disciplined defense, anchored by the experienced Hugo Lloris. The French goalkeeper made several key saves, including two crucial stops against Lionel Messi, who was returning from injury.
Messi, who had been sidelined with an adductor injury, played the full 90 minutes and attempted five shots, two of which were on target. However, Lloris was up to the task, denying Messi's efforts and keeping the Argentine off the scoresheet for the first time in this year's Champions Cup.
LAFC's coach, Steve Cherundolo, praised his team's collective effort in defending against a formidable Miami side. "I think (Messi) always had a black jersey in front of him, and that’s the point,” Cherundolo said. “You can’t always defend him, nor can you always shut down Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, or Luis Suárez. Those guys are going to get a chance or two, and the only way to defend players of that quality and teams of that quality is with a collective effort.”
For Miami, this match marked their first defeat of 2025, ending a remarkable run of seven consecutive victories across all competitions. New coach Javier Mascherano expressed disappointment but remained optimistic about the upcoming second leg. "It was a game that we expected. We know LA. They have good players, and they have players in front that can make the difference. But I think we controlled them almost all the game in a good way. Obviously, we didn’t have the best night tonight, but in the end, it’s the first leg. We have the next game next week, and we will see. I believe that we can do the right things to get through,” he stated.
The two teams are set to meet again in Fort Lauderdale on April 9, 2025, for the second leg of the quarterfinal. The aggregate winner will advance to face either the Vancouver Whitecaps or Liga MX’s Pumas, who played to a 1-1 draw in their first leg.
LAFC's victory also marked the end of a challenging stretch for the team, which had gone winless in their last five matches prior to this victory. Cherundolo noted, "I think we saw a complete performance, a good one from the guys. They invested a lot. We need to be a little sharper, a little more focused in the final third with our chances against good teams, and Miami is certainly a good team, maybe the best team.”
Ordaz's performance was particularly noteworthy given the controversy surrounding his presence on the pitch. He narrowly avoided a red card in the first half after a VAR review of two incidents involving Miami defender Maximiliano Falcón. Despite Miami's protests, Ordaz received only a yellow card, a decision that left many in disbelief.
The match was attended by a host of celebrities, including NBA stars Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, who were there to support their respective teams as the Golden State Warriors prepared to face the Los Angeles Lakers the following night.
As the teams gear up for the second leg, Miami will look to bounce back in front of their home crowd, while LAFC aims to maintain their lead and secure a spot in the semifinals. With the stage set for a thrilling conclusion, fans can expect another intense battle as both teams vie for glory in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
