In front of a star studded crowd at BMO Stadium that included Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Inter Miami put on another Hollywood performance, dismantling Los Angeles FC 3-1 on Sunday night. Facundo Farias scored his first Inter Miami goal and Lionel Messi assisted on two goals in the second half as Inter Miami's counter attack was too much for the Black and Gold. LAFC had their chances but between Drake Callender coming up with huge saves and bad decision-making by Denis Bouanga on breakaways, Steve Cherundolo's team wasn't able to put it all together when it mattered most.
Jordi Alba scored his first MLS goal in a well-crafted move started by Sergio Busquets and assisted by Messi. Callender was on his way to a shutout before LAFC were able to get a late consolation goal from Ryan Hollinghead. Regardless, it's a massive victory for the Herons as they now move within eight points of a playoff position with only nine matches remaining in the season. Next up will be Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, Sept. 9.
Farias gave us a peek of how the team will need to attack against Kansas City as Messi, Robert Taylor, Josef Martinez and many other members of the squad will be on international duty. One quirk of MLS scheduling is that teams play games during FIFA international breaks leaving Tata Martino with adjustments to make. He will at least have Callender in net as his keeper won't join the United States until after Miami's next match.
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Those adjustments are already something Martino has proven that he can do as he dropped both of his strikers to play a 5-3-2 in this match and countered LAFC well. Even when the Black and Gold started out the match on the front foot, Miami were able to drop deep to regain control before Farias ultimately scored his goal against the run of play.
It's a concerning loss for LAFC as the hallmarks of what make them a great team -- effortless finishing from Bouanga and Carlos Vela along with staying calm under pressure -- weren't present. Facing Messi can make chances harder to execute but this is a team that currently has Giorgio Chiellini on it and also had Gareth Bale last season. LAFC are no strangers to pressure but still cracked when put up against Messi and Inter Miami.
If teams continue to do that, not only will the Herons make playoffs despite long odds to do so but MLS Cup will be within reach as well.
Not that Inter Miami needed to announce themselves to the league but by beating LAFC they've done just that. The Herons executed their chances well and LAFC didn't which was what decided the game. Now closing the gap to a playoff position to single digits, a berth is becoming much more attainable for Tata Martino and the team.
Following a corner kick, Ryan Hollingshead pulled one back but it's too little too late as that insurance goal for Miami looms large now.
The counters keep coming as Messi gets his second assist of the match setting up Leonardo Campana to likely seal this game. Chants of "Messi, Messi, Messi" can now be heard at BMO Stadium.
They've had chances to target Inter Miami from set plays but between Callender and poor execution, the Black and Gold haven't been able to make it count. Only 10 minutes remain for LAFC to find a way back in the match. Noah Allen will enter for Alba to close out the clash as well.
It will be the same system but Miami needs fresh legs to keep up with LAFC as Cremaschi and Faria will exit. This now takes things a bit more direct while providing defensive cover.
Bouanga had two more shots from excellent positions and they found their way right to Callender who is having an excellent night. This match is far from over but if Miami are able to escape with a victory, Callender's performance will be a large reason why.
It's a goal built in Barcelona as Messi assisted Jordi Alba for Miami's second goal in a move started by Sergio Busquets. Not sure where the defense was on that one as Alba was kept onside by Chiellini who was having an excellent match until that point. In a must win match, the Herons are treating it like one.
Kellyn Acosta has been taken out of the match for Timothy Tillman to bring a more dynamic presence to midfield.
Despite withstanding an onslaught of LAFC attacks, the herons will enter the half with the lead. But despite that, things could've been very different if LAFC finished their 10 chances in the half. It's safe to expect better from the Black and Gold in the second period which will make it interesting to see how Tata Martino and Miami responds.
This time it's John McCarthy with a massive save to deny Messi from putting Miami ahead 2-0 in the first half. Saves like that can be momentum shifting moments for a team and LAFC certainly needs momentum back.
LAFC are already winning the xG battle 1.11 to .14 but Miami are leading where it matters on the scoresheet. Missed passes and poor finishing have hurt LAFC despite them being able to get into Miami's box with ease. They won't want to rue these missed chances after dominating the opposition in their home matches.
Falling to the ground Farias somehow got a foot to the ball and stunned BMO Stadium with Miami opening the scoring. LAFC will now need to play from behind when Miami has been quite good at retaining leads. It's his first goal for the Herons assisted by new signing Tomas Aviles.
Wow, wow, wow. Denis Bouanga was clear through on goal yet again and Callender came up with a massive save to keep the score level. This is the form that earned Callneder a USMNT call up but he won't join national team camp until after Miami's next match versus Sporting Kanas City.
It's a rough start for the Herons as they're lucky to not be trailing in the first 10 minutes of the match. They're barely been able to advance the ball into LAFC's half of the pitch and the Black and Gold are attacking with ease. It's going to be a long night in Hollywood if adjustments don't come soon.
LAFC are already asking questions of Miami's arrack as the game is getting off to a fast start and the atmosphere at BMO Stadium is amazing.
Every Inter Miami game has been a star studded affair since Messi's arrival but bringing the show to Hollywood has taken things to the next level. Celebrities such as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Toby Maguire, Leonardo Dicaprio, Tom Holland, Jason Sudeikis and so many more people are in attendance to see greatness.
The last time that Inter Miami went to a back three was against FC Cincinnati and immediately Martino needed to switch back to a standard 4-3-3 as the Herons couldn't get a handle on the match. It's even more critical to be settled in this match due to LAFC being the most dangerous team in the league on the counter. Messi and Farias can score some goals together but it's all about stopping LA.
The Black and Gold will spread the ball wide and make things tough on Inter Miami especially considering that Giorgio Chiellini has quite a bit of experience of top level defending.
Starters: McCarthy, Palencia, Long, Chiellini, Hollingshead, Acosta, Sanchez, Bogusz, Vela, Gonzalez, Bouanga
Quite a few changes as Facundo Farias and Lionel Messi will lead the line in an effort to slow down LAFC's high-octane attack.
Starters: Callender, Jordi Alba, Miller, Kryvtsov, Aviles, Yedlin, Gomez, Creamaschi, Busquets, Farias, Messi
Like Miami, LAFC can pass through teams before cutting them apart with ruthless finishing which is a reason why this is a match that could end in a hefty score line and something like 5-4 in favor of the home side isn't out of the question. This isn't to say that LAFC can't defend as they've only allowed 27 goals this season, but their best defense is their attack. And if anything their goal scoring numbers slightly undersell how good they are, as with 39 goals they're slightly underperforming their expected goals on the season of 41.94.
This is a simple one for the Black and Gold, every member of the roster is good to go for this match against Inter Miami.
Outside of the long term injuries that Tata Martino and the Herons have been dealing with they'll have close to a clean bill of health. Ian Fray, Gregore, Franco Negri and Corentin Jean will be the unavailable players.
Miami's in for quite the challenge as they travel cross country to face one of the best teams in MLS, LAFC. While the Herons have improved by leaps and bounds since adding Lionel Messi, LAFC are still the bar that they're trying to reach. Another team that has added stars over the years, the Black and Gold have been able to translate it into being a consistent powerhouse in the league. Miami's on the right track to join them but this is a must win match if they're going to make MLS playoffs.
