LAFC vs Inter Miami Concacaf Champions Cup 2025: 1-0 Lead in Quarterfinals, No Magic Messi

LAFC vs Inter Miami Concacaf Champions Cup, Los Angeles FC (LAFC) secured a narrow but crucial 1-0 victory over Inter Miami in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup 2025 quarterfinal series at BMO Stadium on Wednesday night, April 2, 2025. Nathan Ordaz’s second-half strike and a stellar performance from goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who notched his third consecutive home clean sheet in the tournament, handed LAFC a one-goal advantage heading into the second leg. For fans searching for updates on LAFC vs Inter Miami Concacaf Champions Cup 2025, this match delivered intensity and set the stage for a thrilling conclusion in South Florida.

The second leg is scheduled for Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 5 p.m. PT at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, airing on FS1, TUDN, and 710 AM ESPN LA. The aggregate winner will advance to the semifinals, facing either Vancouver Whitecaps FC or Pumas UNAM. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the match, player performances, and what’s at stake as LAFC aims to continue its Concacaf dominance.

LAFC vs Inter Miami Concacaf Champions Cup Match Recap: Ordaz Strikes, Lloris Shines

The LAFC vs Inter Miami Concacaf Champions Cup 2025 first leg began with a scoreless first half, as both teams struggled to break through in front of a sold-out BMO Stadium crowd. LAFC, led by coach Steve Cherundolo, maintained their trademark defensive solidity, while Inter Miami—boasting stars like Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Sergio Busquets—probed for openings but found little joy.

The deadlock broke in the 57th minute when Nathan Ordaz, an LAFC Academy graduate, turned the game in the Black & Gold’s favor. Collecting a precise pass from Mark Delgado, Ordaz spun past Busquets with composure beyond his 21 years and fired a low, right-footed shot past Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari. The goal electrified the home fans and gave LAFC a slender but vital lead.

Hugo Lloris was equally instrumental, making three key saves to preserve a clean sheet—his third straight at home in this year’s Champions Cup. Inter Miami managed just 10 shots, with Messi and Suárez unable to penetrate LAFC’s backline. The victory marked Inter Miami’s first loss of 2025 across all competitions, ending their nine-game unbeaten streak.

Key Moments and Tactical Insights

LAFC’s game plan hinged on their home dominance, a recurring theme in this year’s Concacaf campaign. The Black & Gold are now 3-0-0 at BMO Stadium in the tournament, having previously shut out Colorado Rapids (1-0) and Columbus Crew (3-0). Their defensive resilience was on full display against Inter Miami’s star-studded attack, with Lloris anchoring a backline that limited dangerous opportunities.

Ordaz’s goal showcased LAFC’s ability to blend youth and experience. The assist from Delgado—his first in this year’s Concacaf play—highlighted the team’s midfield depth, while substitutes like Odin Holm and the returning Marlon added fresh legs late in the game. Inter Miami, under Javier Mascherano, struggled to find rhythm, with their attack appearing disjointed despite Messi’s presence for the full 90 minutes.

The LAFC vs Inter Miami Concacaf Champions Cup 2025 first leg wasn’t without tension. Inter Miami pushed late, but a heroic goal-line block by Maximiliano Falcon and Lloris’s steady hands kept the Herons at bay. LAFC’s 1-0 lead sets up a high-stakes second leg, where Miami will lean on their home advantage to overturn the deficit.

🚨Watch: Lionel Messi nearly pulls off a stunning solo goal all by himself! 🥲pic.twitter.com/imiTzf65Cc

— Inter Miami News Hub (@Intermiamicfhub) April 3, 2025

Player Performances: Standouts and Stats

• Nathan Ordaz (8/10): The match-winner with his second Champions Cup goal of 2025. His composure against Busquets and clinical finish were pivotal.
• Hugo Lloris (8/10): Three saves, zero goals conceded. The former France captain’s third straight home shutout underlines his importance.
• Mark Delgado (7/10): Provided the assist for Ordaz’s goal, marking his first in Concacaf play this year. A steady midfield presence.
• Denis Bouanga (6/10): Quiet by his standards but still leads LAFC with three Concacaf goals this season. Played his 13th tournament match.
• Timothy Tillman (6/10): Also reached 13 Concacaf appearances, tying the club record. Nearly scored but was denied by Falcon’s block.

For Inter Miami, Messi (6/10) showed flashes of brilliance but couldn’t unlock LAFC’s defense, while Suárez (5/10) and Busquets (5/10) were subdued. The Herons’ attack, which has scored eight goals in the tournament, was uncharacteristically muted.

LAFC’s Concacaf Legacy: A Growing Force

The win bolsters LAFC’s impressive Concacaf Champions Cup record. Now 10-7-1 all-time in the competition, they boast a 6-2-0 home record, outscoring opponents 15-3 at BMO Stadium with six clean sheets. Against MLS foes, LAFC is 6-2-1, having eliminated Vancouver, Philadelphia, Colorado, and Columbus in recent years. This latest triumph moves them to 3-1-0 against Inter Miami across all competitions, with all three wins via shutouts.

The LAFC vs Inter Miami Concacaf Champions Cup 2025 series is a testament to LAFC’s pedigree in this tournament. Finalists in 2020 and 2023, the Black & Gold are chasing their first title, which would secure spots in the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup and 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup. With a 6-5-0 record across all competitions in 2025, including a perfect 5-1-0 at home with five shutouts, LAFC remains a formidable force.

What’s Next: Second Leg and MLS Interlude

Before the decisive second leg on April 9, LAFC shifts focus to MLS action, traveling to face Houston Dynamo on Saturday, April 5, at 5:30 p.m. PT (MLS Season Pass, 710 AM ESPN, 980 AM La Mera Mera). The Dynamo match offers a chance to maintain momentum, but Cherundolo will likely prioritize squad rotation with the Concacaf showdown looming.

For Inter Miami, the second leg at Chase Stadium is a must-win. Trailing 1-0 on aggregate, they’ll need to score at least once while keeping LAFC off the board—or net multiple goals if LAFC finds the net again. The Herons host Toronto FC on April 6 in MLS play, providing an opportunity to regain confidence before the rematch.

Conclusion

LAFC’s 1-0 victory over Inter Miami in the LAFC vs Inter Miami Concacaf Champions Cup 2025 first leg underscores their resilience and home dominance. Nathan Ordaz’s goal and Hugo Lloris’s shutout have given the Black & Gold a slight edge, but the tie remains wide open as they head to South Florida. With a semifinal berth—and potentially more—on the line, the second leg promises drama. LAFC’s Concacaf pedigree and Inter Miami’s star power ensure this matchup will captivate fans, with the outcome shaping both teams’ 2025 ambitions.

LAFC fans brought a Pessi flag to the game vs Inter Miami 😂 pic.twitter.com/SyvutG2KN6

— fan (@NoodleHairCR7) April 3, 2025

FAQs: LAFC vs Inter Miami Concacaf Champions Cup 2025

1. What was the score in the first leg of LAFC vs Inter Miami?
   LAFC won 1-0 at BMO Stadium, with Nathan Ordaz scoring the only goal.
2. When and where is the second leg?
   It’s on April 9, 2025, at 5 p.m. PT at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, airing on FS1, TUDN, and 710 AM ESPN LA.
3. Who scored for LAFC in the first leg?
   Nathan Ordaz scored in the 57th minute, assisted by Mark Delgado.
4. How has LAFC performed at home in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup?
   They’re 3-0-0, with wins over Colorado Rapids (1-0), Columbus Crew (3-0), and Inter Miami (1-0), all clean sheets.
5. What’s at stake in the second leg?
   The aggregate winner advances to the semifinals to face Vancouver Whitecaps FC or Pumas UNAM.