The MLS returns for another season, and MLS champions Inter Miami will play their first league match in Los Angeles against LAFC. This stellar season opener is appealing to multiple fans, as both teams are favorites to win the MLS Cup this year.
Inter Miami won the 2025 MLS Cup last year at home against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Inter Miami defeated Vancouver 3-1 with an own goal from Edier Ocampo and goals from Rodrigo De Paul and Tadeo Allende.
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The Herons have a very different squad, with new signings like German Berterame and Sergio Reguilon, but managed to keep players like Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Rodrigo De Paul for another season.
Last season, LAFC lost 4-3 on penalties in a dramatic 2-2 draw in the Western Conference Final to the Vancouver Whitecaps.
LAFC also played its first official match of 2026 earlier this week after beating Real España 6-1 away in Honduras for Round 1 of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
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Denis Bounga scored a hat trick, and the goal scorers were David Martinez, Timothy Tillman, and Heung-Min Son. The match showcased new signings like Stephen Eustaquio and Tyler Boyd.
LAFC and Inter Miami last played each other in the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal seocnd leg, where the Herons won 3-1 and advanced to the semifinals by winning 3-2 on aggregate.
Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal during the CONCACAF Champions Cup 2025 Quarter-final second leg match between Inter Miami CF and Los Angeles Football Club at Chase Stadium on April 09, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Expected Lineups for LAFC and Inter Miami
LAFC
Defenders: Eddie Segura, Nkosi Tafari, Ryan Porteous, Sergi Palencia
Midfielders: Marco Delgado, Stephen Eustaquio, Timothy Tillman
Forwards: Denis Bounga, David Martinez, Heung-Min Son
Inter Miami
Goalkeeper: Dayne St. Clair
Defenders: Noah Allen, Micael, Maximiliano Falcon, Ian Fray
Midfielders: Telasco Segovia, Yannick Bright, Rodrigo De Paul
Forwards: Mateo Silvetti, Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi
H2H: LAFC vs Inter Miami
April 9, 2025: Inter Miami 3-1 LAFC (CONCACAF Champions Cup Quarterfinals – 2nd Leg)
April 2, 2025: LAFC 1-0 Inter Miami (CONCACAF Champions Cup Quarterfinals – 1st Leg)
September 3, 2023: LAFC 1-3 Inter Miami (MLS)
March 12, 2022: Inter Miami 0-2 LAFC (MLS)
March 1, 2020: LAFC 1-0 Inter Miami (MLS)
Prediction: LAFC 2-2 Inter Miami
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the Soccer section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.