Los Angeles FC (LAFC) secured a 1-0 victory over Inter Miami CF in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal on April 2, 2025, at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
The decisive goal came in the 57th minute from 21-year-old Nathan Ordaz, who maneuvered past Sergio Busquets and delivered a powerful shot into the bottom corner from outside the penalty area.
Despite fielding star player Lionel Messi, Inter Miami was unable to find the back of the net. Messi, who had scored or assisted in each of his previous six Champions Cup appearances since joining Miami, managed five shots during the match, two of which were on target. However, LAFC’s goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was equal to the task, making crucial saves to maintain the clean sheet.
The match saw its share of contentious moments. In the first half, Ordaz was involved in an altercation with Inter Miami defender Maxi Falcón. Upon video review, Ordaz received a yellow card, a decision that sparked debate among players and fans alike.
LAFC’s defense held firm throughout the match, effectively neutralizing Inter Miami’s offensive threats and ending their own five-match winless streak. Inter Miami, leading the MLS standings with a 4-0-1 record, will look to overturn the deficit in the return leg.
The second leg of the quarterfinal is scheduled for April 9 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The aggregate winner will advance to the semifinals to face either the Vancouver Whitecaps or Pumas UNAM, who played to a 1-1 draw in their first leg.
