Inter Miami CF Lose Season Opener

     The reigning MLS Cup champions Inter Miami CF began their 2026 Major League Soccer campaign and lost their season opener to LAFC 3-0 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday night. The Herons began their seventh season in Major League Soccer. Inter Miami CF played their first MLS contest in franchise history in Los Angeles against the same club back in March 2020. 

     The game turned out to be the highest-attended Major League Soccer game on opening weekend in its 31-year history. The attendance for the contest at Los Angeles Memorial Stadium was 75,673. It was the second-largest crowd ever for a MLS contest. 

     LAFC(1-0-0) scooted out to a 1-0 advantage in the 38th minute. The Herons turned the ball over near midfield which led to a 13-yard shot by David Martinez with his left foot.

     Inter Miami CF(0-1-0) was behind 2-0 during the 73rd minute on a tally by Denis Bouanga. He headed the ball over the head of Herons goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair at the 35-yard line and then placed in a right-footed shot into an empty net from 10 yards away. 

     It became 3-0 for LAFC in stoppage time at the end of the second half. Bouanga crossed the ball from the left side and Nathan Ordaz found the back of the net tapping in a five-yard shot with his right foot.