Table of Contents
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami got off to a rough start in their MLS Cup title defense when David Martinez, Denis Bouanga and Nathan Ordaz scored in Los Angeles FC's 3-0 victory Saturday night.
Son Heung-min set up Martinez's opening goal for LAFC, which emphasized its status as a primary threat to Miami's crown during a lively MLS season opener between two of the league's marquee clubs.
The matchup drew 75,673 fans — the second-largest crowd in MLS history — to the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which is next-door to LAFC’s home BMO Stadium.
"This game would have sold out five times at BMO, but we wanted to do something special," MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. "This is a seminal year in the history of our sport and a big moment in the history of our league, so why not go into this historic stadium, bring Miami here, our champion, and have them play against LAFC?"
The huge crowd got an entertaining match and a good look at Messi, who played despite dealing with a strained hamstring this month. His every move was greeted with cheers and boos by the California fans.
The superstar is still working out his dynamic with his new teammates, however: The Herons lost Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba to retirement and added forward German Berterame and elite MLS goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, whose positioning mistake greatly simplified Bouanga’s goal.
LAFC won for head coach Marc Dos Santos in his MLS debut as the third head coach in club history. The former Vancouver head coach and longtime LAFC assistant led his team to a 6-1 win over Real España earlier this week in its CONCACAF Champions Cup opener in Honduras.
LAFC went ahead in the 38th minute when Son controlled the ball in traffic and slotted a perfect pass to Martínez, who found the far bottom corner in stride. The 20-year-old Martínez has started his MLS career slowly, but LAFC remains confident the Venezuelan forward will be a star.
Bouanga had a hat trick in CONCACAF Champions Cup play earlier this week, and he added his first MLS goal of the season in the 73rd minute. The Frenchman, who finished second to Messi in the Golden Boot race last season, converted a long pass from Timothy Tillman, adroitly heading it over the charging St. Clair before banging it home.
LAFC added a third goal in second-half injury time when Ordaz converted a centering pass from Bouanga.
LAFC improved to 4-2-0 against Miami in the clubs' history. LAFC also remained unbeaten in its season openers, improving to 9-0-0.
Up next
Inter Miami: At Orlando on Sunday, March 1.
LAFC: Host Real España in the second leg of CONCACAF Champions Cup on Tuesday.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
share
recommended
World Cup Watch: MLS Will Be Where USA's Goalkeeper Battle Will Play Out
Top 5 MLS Storylines: Messi Eyes Repeat, USA Players Seek World Cup Spots
New MLS Kit Power Rankings: Alexi Lalas' Top Five Jerseys of the 2026 Season
Messi Confirmed For 2026 World Cup? Inter Miami Coach Hints At Argentina Star's Decision
The 26: Projecting USA's Roster, Lineup 4 Months Before 2026 World Cup Opener
MLS Kits Revealed! Grateful Dead, America's Birthday Help Inspire Jersey Designs
Last Game for Norwich? Drama For USA's Josh Sargent Amid Potential MLS Move
MLS on FOX Sports: Messi, Inter Miami vs. Orlando City on May 2; El Tráfico on July 17
MLS Cup Champions: Complete list of winners by year
Arrow pointing to the leftArrow pointing to the right
Item 1 of 3 
Get more from the MLS Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic 
MLS 
Inter Miami CF 
Los Angeles FC 
Denis Bouanga 
Lionel Messi 
Nathan Ordaz 
Sergio Busquets 
Jordi Alba 
Dayne St. Clair 
David Martinez
NEXT STORY
Lionel Messi, German Berterame Set To Play Opening Day For Inter Miami vs. LAFC
recommended
World Cup Watch: MLS Will Be Where USA's Goalkeeper Battle Will Play Out
Top 5 MLS Storylines: Messi Eyes Repeat, USA Players Seek World Cup Spots
New MLS Kit Power Rankings: Alexi Lalas' Top Five Jerseys of the 2026 Season
Messi Confirmed For 2026 World Cup? Inter Miami Coach Hints At Argentina Star's Decision
The 26: Projecting USA's Roster, Lineup 4 Months Before 2026 World Cup Opener
MLS Kits Revealed! Grateful Dead, America's Birthday Help Inspire Jersey Designs
Last Game for Norwich? Drama For USA's Josh Sargent Amid Potential MLS Move
MLS on FOX Sports: Messi, Inter Miami vs. Orlando City on May 2; El Tráfico on July 17
MLS Cup Champions: Complete list of winners by year
Arrow pointing to the leftArrow pointing to the right
Item 1 of 3Original Article
