Nathan Aldas’ second half goal allowed Los Angeles FC to beat Lionel Messi and Intermiami in their first leg quarter-final match.
Los Angeles FC (LAFC) sent Lionel Messi and Intermiami to their first defeat of the season, scoring a 1-0 victory in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals.
A 57-minute strike from Los Angeles-born El Salvadoran International Nathan Aldaz handed the LAFC a valuable advantage heading towards Florida’s return leg next week.
Messi and Miami have arrived in Los Angeles as form teams in Major League Soccer (MLS) since the start of the season, unbeaten in nine games in all competitions.
However, after the first half of the cage, where neither side could get to the top, Los Angeles increased the intensity after the break and quickly began to cause trouble for visitors on Wednesday.
LAFC fullback Ryan Hollingshead wasted a golden chance in the 54th minute, blew the goal out loud after exploding into the penalty area with an overlap.
The home team made a very important breakthrough after three minutes. The 21-year-old homemade striker Ordaz spun out of the baskets of former Barcelona and Spanish international Sergio, then hit a low shot past Miami Keeper Oscar Ustali into the bottom corner.
Argentine superstar Messi got off to his first start after returning to his place last weekend following a two-week injury layoff, struggling to gain foothold in the contest.
Instead, it was Los Angeles that seemed most likely to score in front of the raucous home cloud of 22,207 fans at BMO Stadium, including NBA superstar Stephen Curry, Miami team owner David Beckham and Argentina’s national team manager Lionel Scaroni.
US International Aaron headed straight from a free kick in the 63rd minute, after which only a desperate goal line block from Miami defender Maxi Falcon rejected LAFC midfielder Timothy Tillman.
Falcon had one of Miami’s few opportunities in the second half, and glanced at the header towards the bottom corner where former LAFC French international goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was comfortable gathering.
Among the signs that increase Miami’s frustration, the basket was reserved for a wild challenge under the Sengis.
A disappointing night for Messi was summed up by failing to make the most of the free kick in a promising position deep within stop time, and the Argentines sent his shot whipped over the bar as the LAFC held the deserved victory.
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