Inter Miami Loses To LAFC; What We Learned For Game Two

Los Angeles, California – Inter Miami CF fell 1-0 to LAFC in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals matchup on Wednesday night. Nathan Ordaz scored the lone goal for LA in the 57th minute to give the Angelinos the victory. Ordaz’s goal was not without controversy, as he was given a yellow card in the match in the 27th minute for an altercation with Miami’s Maxi Falcon, where many felt a red card was merited.

🟨 @stuholden doesn't understand how this wasn't a red card on Ordaz pic.twitter.com/uyGkN4Su7f

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 3, 2025

The second leg will be played on Wednesday, April 9th, at Chase Stadium, where the Herons can move on with a favorable result. Let’s analyze what we learned from Miami’s defeat in LA and look ahead to the next match.

Segovia Must Be A Factor

Telasco Segovia is a very young and talented midfielder who has shown flashes of his skills, scoring 3 goals with 1 assist thus far in 5 MLS games. In the first leg versus LA, Telasco was not as big a factor as he could have been. In Miami, he must be able to link up with Lionel Messi to create havoc on the low-lying LA defensive block. He needs to be more on the ball to allow Messi to find spaces on the pitch to finish the play or provide the assist. On Wednesday, Telasco has to be a factor in the attack and on the defensive end for the Herons.

Ordaz Decision Key

Nathan Ordaz probably should have seen a red card in LA, but he didn’t and ended up scoring the game-winner. The referee’s decision was key to the outcome of the game in LA and will have a profound influence on the match in Miami. If Ordaz had been ejected, LAFC would have played the majority of the match with 10 men, and he would have been unable to play in Miami. Ordaz will be available on Wednesday night, and it would be terrible if he were to be the deciding factor in the match.

El gol de Nathan Ordaz para @SomosLAFC frente a Inter Miami desde el terreno de juego 👀🇸🇻 pic.twitter.com/EdHOt4fCkY

— MLS Español (@MLSes) April 4, 2025

Suarez Needs To Soar

LAFC’s low-block and counterattack was effective and practical against a possession team such as Inter Miami. The Herons lack pace, and Luis Suarez has a tough time making runs behind the defense. LAFC clogged the middle of the pitch, causing difficulties for Messi and Suarez. In Miami, Telasco Segovia must clear space for both legends by keeping and carrying the ball under pressure in the middle of the pitch. Lionel Messi needs to receive in areas without three defenders hounding him immediately. Suarez has to continue to be active off the ball and must return to being clinical when he has scoring chances.

Busquets Will Be Missed

Sergio Busquets will miss the second leg against LAFC due to yellow card accumulation. He was booked in the 70th minute of the first leg, triggering a suspension for the return match. His absence will be a big loss for Inter Miami as they look to bounce back on Wednesday night. Busquets is the glue that holds the squad together, with the ability to lead the defense while simultaneously getting the ball out of the back cleanly. Yannick Bright and Federico Redondo will have to be strong defensively and get the ball out of the back cleanly for Miami to have success against LA. Losing a legend is never easy, but Segovia, Bright, and Redondo have an opportunity to make a name for themselves in an international competition. These are the moments where these young players must rise to the occasion.

Sergio Busquets filters a pass behind the Philly defense & after a sequence of slick touches by the Herons, Robert Taylor pushes it to the back of the net for the 1-0 #InterMiamiCF lead … Cremaschi with the assist at the 23rd minute…#MLS

pic.twitter.com/YdIHASiN0x

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 30, 2025