LAFC 3, Inter Miami 0: MLS LA Coliseum opener had real weight | OneFootball

Los Angeles FC opened its 2026 MLS campaign with a decisive 3-0 win over Inter Miami CF in front of more than 75,000 supporters at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Lionel Messi started. Son Heung-min started. So did Denis Bouanga, soon after much speculation about a transfer to Fluminense, in Brazil.

Before kickoff, Son and Bouanga shared a brief exchange during the anthem. It was understated. Once play began, their understanding became obvious. Overall, though, I’ve been very impressed by how quickly these two players became acquainted with one another.

(Celso Oliveira / Pitchside USA)

Commissioner Don Garber was also in the house and addressed the reporters at halftime. The setting elevated the occasion, but the LAFC stars' performances justified it.

Just a reminder: this was a regular-season match. And I confess — I had questions going into it, whether it was a friendly or a game that mattered. In the end, it carried the intensity of something larger.

LAFC’s Structure Set the Tone

The second goal effectively settled the match. Miami goalkeeper Dane St. Clair misjudged the sequence, and Bouanga converted without hesitation. At this level, small errors shift momentum quickly. Then, the youngster Nathan Ordaz scored the third and decisive goal for the black and gold.

Denis Bouanga, whose valuation could easily reach $20 million, was direct and decisive in the channels. His timing and acceleration repeatedly unsettled Miami’s back line.

Denis Bouaga and Ian Fray (Celso Oliveira / Pitchside USA)

Steven Eustáquio, recently arrived from Benfica, anchored the midfield with composure. He was impressive. Eustáquio circulated possession efficiently and provided balance that allowed LAFC’s front line to attack with clarity.

Son Heung-min (Celso Oliveira / Pitchside US)

Son drifted between lines, pulling Miami’s shape inward. Bouanga attacked the space behind it.

This duo is no joke. When one checked short, the other ran beyond. The coordination was consistent and difficult to contain for David Beckham’s surgically constructed team.

Meanwhile, Messi found isolated pockets of space but rarely maintained control. Miami’s individual quality is still visible — but they have work to do in integrating players like Silvetti and Berterame. Their collective rhythm did not live up to my expectations of a championship-caliber team.

Lionel Messi (Celso Oliveira / Pitchside US)

The LA Crowd Told Its Own Story

Even with a duo that features a Gabonese and a South Korean star, LAFC’s identity remains closely tied to Southern California’s Latino football culture. That foundation was present. So was something broader.

The 3252 (Celso OIiveira / Pitchside US)

Large sections of the Coliseum wore Son Heung-min shirts and waved South Korean flags. The turnout reflected Sonny's global pull and the league’s expanding reach. And yes, there were several Argentine and Inter Miami fans there to see Lionel Messi, but it sells the script short to think this is all about him.

The 3252, LAFC loyal supporters, filled the north end with coordinated movement and their never-ending percussion. Miami supporters answered anytime their goat touched the ball.

El Trafico - the battle for Los Angeles soccer

The LA Galaxy remain one of MLS’s defining institutions, built on championships and figures such as Landon Donovan. Their legacy is set with 6 titles.

But markets shift through times, and LA is a place that values timing and execution.

Last season, Messi opened against the Galaxy. It drew attention. But this year’s event carried greater scale and sharper edge. LAFC positioned themselves at the center of it.

In Los Angeles, narrative space is competitive. Clubs must reinforce relevance through performance and vision. LAFC demonstrated both on opening night.

What Comes Next

OK, everybody, calm down. It was three points in February. The season is long. A potential CONCACAF Champions Cup meeting would further raise the stakes between the two teams.

Yesterday, LAFC were faster in transition, more organized defensively under Marc dos Santos, and more cohesive between lines. Miami will adjust. They added a lot of players and will get better. Depth and discipline under Mascherano will determine how quickly.

Lionel Messi suffers pressure from Tafari (Celso Oliveira / Pichside US)

MLS opened its season inside one of the country’s most historic venues and filled it. The field's quality supported the spectacle.

For LAFC, consistency is the next measure. For Miami, the response will define the narrative.

For Los Angeles, a city that will host the World Cup and the Olympics in the next four years, the debate continues. On this night, LAFC controlled the stage.