Inter Miami Vs Los Angeles

Inter Miami are preparing to welcome Los Angeles FC to South Florida for the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-final clash, a tie delicately poised following a narrow 1-0 win for the visitors in the first leg. The pressure is on both teams, with the hosts eager to overturn a slim deficit and the visitors seeking to protect their advantage and secure progression to the semi-finals. As two of Major League Soccer’s more recently established franchises, both clubs have wasted little time in making significant impressions on the North American soccer landscape. This upcoming match is not just another fixture in a busy schedule, but a pivotal moment that could shape the trajectory of both sides in this prestigious continental tournament.

Los Angeles FC, under the stewardship of head coach Steve Cherundolo, have enjoyed a relatively successful history in the CONCACAF Champions Cup despite being a relatively young team in MLS terms. Founded in 2018, the Black and Gold have quickly built a reputation for being strong continental contenders. In their short existence, LAFC have already reached the final of the Champions Cup twice, showcasing their ability to compete with some of the region’s most established clubs. Their first appearance in the final came in 2020, where they were narrowly defeated by Mexican giants Tigres UANL in a one-off final. Their second attempt in 2023 also ended in disappointment as they fell to another Mexican outfit, Club León, in a two-legged final, losing 3-1 on aggregate.

Despite those setbacks, LAFC have shown considerable resolve and growth with each passing campaign. Their quest for the elusive continental crown has fueled their ambitions in 2025, and should they manage to hold onto their 1-0 lead in this tie against Inter Miami, they will book a place in the semi-finals and edge closer to lifting the trophy that has so far eluded them. Their run to this stage of the tournament has been impressive. In the first round, they dispatched the Colorado Rapids with minimal fuss, and followed that up with a statement performance against Columbus Crew in the round of 16. That tie carried additional emotional weight, given Columbus had bested LAFC in both the 2023 MLS Cup final and the 2024 Leagues Cup final. LAFC responded with authority, securing a 3-0 first-leg victory that paved the way for a 4-2 aggregate win, exorcising some of their recent demons in the process.

While LAFC’s continental form has been strong, their domestic campaign has not mirrored the same level of consistency. After starting the MLS season with back-to-back victories, the Los Angeles outfit have since suffered a dip in form, losing four of their last five matches in the league. This run of poor results has left them with just nine points from their opening seven games, raising questions about their depth, resilience, and ability to balance multiple competitions. Road games have been particularly problematic. Of the four away matches they’ve played in MLS so far, three have ended in defeat, and their struggles away from home cast doubt on their ability to maintain the slender advantage they carry into this second leg. Their most recent league outing saw them fall 1-0 to Houston Dynamo, with Jack McGlynn’s goal proving to be the difference on a frustrating night for Cherundolo’s men.

Meanwhile, Inter Miami, led by manager Javier Mascherano, are also relatively new to MLS, having been founded in 2020. However, in their brief existence, they have drawn global attention—largely thanks to the signing of legendary figures like Lionel Messi, who continues to provide both leadership and moments of brilliance. The Herons are participating in the CONCACAF Champions Cup for the second time, having made their debut appearance last season. That campaign ended in disappointment as they were eliminated at the quarter-final stage by Monterrey. Now back in the same round of the competition, Miami are determined to go one step further and assert themselves as genuine contenders on the continental stage.

Inter’s route to the quarter-finals has been smoother than many might have anticipated. They comfortably overcame Sporting Kansas City in the first round, before dispatching Jamaican side Cavalier with ease in the round of 16. These wins not only demonstrated their attacking potency but also their increasing confidence in knockout football. Having tasted defeat only once this season—a narrow 1-0 loss in the first leg of this tie—Inter Miami will be hopeful of turning the tie around, especially with the second leg being played on home turf, where they have been particularly formidable.

Mascherano’s side have enjoyed a promising start to their MLS campaign, winning four of their first six matches to sit second in the Eastern Conference with 14 points. Their league form has been underpinned by strong performances from key players, none more influential than Lionel Messi. The Argentine maestro was once again on hand to rescue a point for his team in their most recent MLS fixture, scoring the equalizer in a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC after Federico Bernardeschi had given the visitors the lead. That result extended Inter’s unbeaten home record in 2025, and while it wasn’t the victory they had hoped for, it reinforced their resilience and attacking threat.

The DRV PNK Stadium has become something of a fortress for Inter Miami. Over the past year, very few teams have managed to leave with all three points. The only side to win away at Inter during this period has been Atlanta United, who achieved the feat twice—once in the regular season and again in the playoffs. This strong home record will give Miami additional confidence heading into the decisive second leg against LAFC, especially considering their need to overcome a one-goal deficit.