LAFC 1-0 Inter Miami CF - A Vela Wonder-strike Proves the Difference

Before we dive into things, let’s first take a look at the starting lineups.

Moving on to the game, in which LAFC handed Inter Miami CF a 1-0 loss in Miami’s first ever MLS game. The expansion side was beaten only by a spectacular chip from Carlos Vela at the Banc of California Stadium.

Five minutes in, a Vela cross from near the right edge of the box found Rossi in the left side of the six yard box. Rossi sent a header across the goal but Luis Robles made a diving save to keep the game level. Then, in the 9th minute LAFC had a goal ruled out for offsides. Mark Anthony Kaye capitalized from close range on a Diego Rossi cross, but the AR correctly called Rossi offside, and the goal did not stand.

For much of the early stages, LAFC kept the ball in Miami’s half and controlled possession, but couldn’t create many opportunities. Meanwhile, the visitors‘s main attacking strategy was to boot the ball to Superdraft pick Robbie Robinson, who was isolated up top. That caused Miami to not cause LA’s backline many problems, shown by its first shot of the match coming all the way in the 20th minute. The Florida side did begin to grow into the game soon after, though, and was a little more threatening.

Miami’s best chance of the half came in the 37th minute. Space opened up for Lewis Morgan at the top of the box, and the Scottish winger sent a shot to the bottom right corner but Kenneth Vermeer made a diving save. Miami had another look on goal in the 42nd minute, when a corner kick was volleyed goalwards by Rodolfo Pizarro in the center of the box. The ball lacked enough pace to beat Vermeer, however, and the keeper made a diving stop.

Then, in the 44th minute Carlos Vela scored a wonder goal to break the deadlock just before the interval. The Mexican received the ball in midfield and took it over one defender, around a few more, and to the top of the box. There Vela hit an exquisite chip over Luis Robles and into the back of the net. I’m not sure if I’ve caused serious damage to my jaw after how far it opened watching that piece of soccer sorcery.

LAFC weren’t very convincing, but nonetheless went into the break up 1-0 thanks to a beauty from birthday boy Vela. Other than that (and that was a lot), LA was a little off in the final third, but still controlled possession for the most part. Miami looked poor in the start of the match, but did grow into the game and forced Vermeer into a few saves. It wasn’t enough offensively, though, to cause panic for the Black and Gold.

Moving into the second half, LAFC had another goal disallowed just 33 seconds after the opening whistle. Rossi received a pass inside the six yard box and scored, but the sender, Brain Rodriguez, was offside when he got the ball.

In the 54th minute Pizarro almost got himself on the scoresheet. A cross from Lewis Morgan found Pizarro in the six yard box, but his sliding volley trickled wide, despite having Vermeer frozen.

In the 69th minute, a LAFC corner found Eddie Segura free of his marker inside the six yard box, but the Colombian finished poorly and skied his volley into the stands.

Rossi almost put the game to bed in the 86th minute. In a one-on-one with Robles, the Uruguayan, in the left side of the box, tried to send the ball into the lower far post corner of the goal, but Robles made a kick save to keep Miami alive. It was in vain, though, as LAFC held on to its one goal lead until the death.

The hosts were definitely not at their best in its season opener. That was mostly due to the Thursday night clash against Club León in the CCL, in which nine starters against Miami played the same role in the impressive 3-0 win that sent LA to the quarterfinals. Despite the tired legs, LAFC got the win over Miami, and proved its mettle by doing so in these circumstances. The offense didn’t always click, but the midfield was much closer to top shape, with new signing Francisco Ginella slotting right in.

Miami, on the other hand, were able to create a decent amount of chances, but no chance was so good as to say it should have been scored. Instead, Pizarro was able to get a few chances and show potential to cause havoc for other teams, but wasn’t consistently involved vs LA. The defense performed well, and only a fantastic chip could beat it. Nonetheless, this was a less than 100% LAFC, so how Miami will fare against better offenses on the day remains to be seen.

Up next for last season’s Supporter’s Shield winners is a home match vs the Philadelphia Union on Sunday the 8th. Inter Miami, meanwhile, will look to score its first ever MLS goal at Audi Field vs DC United Saturday the 7th.