LAFC vs Inter Miami
Sunday, September 3 at 7:00 pm PT
Location: BMO Stadium - Los Angeles, California
Radio: 710 AM ESPN, ESPN LA App, 980 AM La Mera Mera
Coming off a 2-1 loss at Charlotte FC on Saturday, August 26, LAFC now hosts Leagues Cup Champions Inter Miami CF on Sunday, September 3 at BMO Stadium.
Black & Gold forward Mario González scored the first goal of his MLS career in the 67th minute against Charlotte, but the Club came up short, ending a four-game unbeaten streak in MLS play.
LAFC remains in second place in the Western Conference Standings with a record of 11-7-7 (40 points) with nine games to play.
Inter Miami returns to BMO Stadium for the first time since its inaugural MLS match in March 2020, a 1-0 loss in which Carlos Vela scored in the 44th minute.
MIAMI IN-DEPTH
Led by head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino, Inter Miami CF has been one of MLS’s most dangerous clubs since acquiring ex-Barcelona superstars Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets this summer.
Behind Messi’s 10 goals, Inter Miami won the first trophy in club history when it defeated Nashville SC in a penalty shootout in the Leagues Cup final on August 19. Twenty-five-year-old goalkeeper Drake Callender is one of many young players whose form has improved since the arrival of Messi & Co. Callender had another strong outing in the Herons’ 0-0 draw at home against Nashville on Wed. August 30.
Despite winning Leagues Cup and securing its spot in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final, Inter Miami finds itself in an uphill battle for a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs as it currently sits tied for last place in the Eastern Conference with 22 points and 10 games to go.
THE BLACK & GOLD WILL WIN IF
It can gain energy from its home stadium and the passion exuded by the 3252 supporter section. The Black & Gold have the best home record in MLS since it arrived in the league in 2018. LAFC’s back line will need to play soundly and intelligently against a front three that could include Messi and U.S. Open Cup heroes Josef Martinez and Leonardo Campana.
MIAMI CAN WIN IF
It can continue its hot form while rotating its lineup. The Herons have yet to lose a match across all competitions since Messi arrived, but they have played eight matches since August 1. This match requires a trip of more than 2,000 miles to what’s widely considered the league’s most hostile environment.
