MLS-LAFC OPENS 2026 MLS SEASON WITH 3-0 STATEMENT WIN OVER INTER MIAMI BEFORE RECORD CROWD

Feb 23, 2026 59 Views MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

LAFC OPENS 2026 MLS SEASON WITH 3-0 STATEMENT WIN OVER INTER MIAMI BEFORE RECORD CROWD

Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) kicked off the 2026 MLS regular season in historic fashion, defeating reigning MLS Cup champion Inter Miami CF 3-0 in front of 75,673 fans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The crowd marked the second-highest attendance in MLS history and the largest ever for an opening weekend match.

Goals from David Martínez (38’), Denis Bouanga (73’), and Nathan Ordaz (90+4’) powered the Black & Gold to victory, extending LAFC’s league-record streak to nine consecutive wins in season openers (9-0-0) across its nine MLS campaigns.

LAFC broke the deadlock seven minutes before halftime. New midfielder Stephen Eustáquio delivered a loose ball to Son Heung-Min at the top of Miami’s penalty area. The South Korean star quickly set up a charging Martínez, who finished left-footed to give the home side a 1-0 advantage.

Inter Miami came out aggressively in the second half searching for an equalizer. Lionel Messi connected with halftime substitute Facundo Mura on the right wing, and Mura delivered a dangerous cross toward goal. Recently acquired striker Germán Berterame rose for a header but sent it just wide of the near post — Miami’s best opportunity of the night.

LAFC’s defense stood firm throughout the match. Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris recorded three saves, while defenders Eddie Segura, Sergi Palencia, Nkosi Tafari, and Ryan Porteous consistently shut down Miami’s attacking threats.

The Black & Gold doubled their lead in the 73rd minute when Timmy Tillman lofted a long ball into Miami’s defensive third. Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair rushed off his line to intervene, but Bouanga headed the ball forward to himself, sprinted past the keeper, and calmly finished into an empty net for a 2-0 advantage.

Homegrown forward Nathan Ordaz capped the scoring in stoppage time. Substituted in during the 89th minute, Ordaz quickly made his presence felt. Bouanga once again broke down the left flank and delivered a pinpoint pass through the center of the box, where Ordaz finished cleanly in the 90+4’ minute to seal the 3-0 result.

Up Next

LAFC returns to action Tuesday, Feb. 24, hosting Real España at BMO Stadium in the second leg of Round One in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. LAFC enters the match with a 6-1 aggregate lead.

The club’s next MLS regular-season contest is set for Saturday, Feb. 28, on the road against Houston Dynamo FC in Houston, Texas.