LAFC draws first blood against Inter Miami in CONCACAF quarterfinals

In a matchup filled with star power, it was a little known player that earned the flowers in Los Angeles on Wednesday night.

Opening the first leg of a sizzling CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal matchup against an Inter Miami squad featuring the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, Nathan Ordaz thrusted himself onto the front page, and his performance was vital in giving LAFC the early edge. Ordaz scored a spectacular goal early in the second half, and LAFC won the first leg 1-0 at BMO Stadium.

“He’s earned the trust,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said. “He shows it in training. He’s come on really well this season. He worked hard in the offseason and he has taken his chance. He’s earning the right to play.”

The win puts the pressure on Miami heading into next Wednesday’s second leg in South Florida. Miami must efeat LAFC by two goals to win the series and advance to the semifinals. More so, Miami must caution against allowing another goal, as an away goal by LAFC would put them well in position to advance depending on the circumstances. 

“We have to accept the loss but we know we have another game in Miami with our people, with our supporters,” Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said. “We need their support to get through to the semifinals so we’ll try in the next week to do the right thing.”

Ordaz sparked LAFC to the lead in the 57th minute. Ordaz received a pass from Marky Delgado well inside Miami’s side of the field and broke for goal, Ordaz evaded Sergio Busquets, dribbled towards the penalty area, then fired a right-footed shot that snuck past keeper Oscar Ustari at the near post to stake LAFC to the lead. LAFC had a chance to double the advantage in the 64th minute, as Timothy Tillman spring Denis Bouanga down the left side, Bouanga dribbled into the penalty area, tried to pass to Ordaz, Miami defender Maximiliano Falcon temporarily cut off the pass, though it eventually found the foot of Ordaz, who immediately shot for goal, but it was blocked by Noah Allen, but Tillman, who had been trailing the play, tracked down the ball and one-timed a right-footed shot that beat Ustari, but Falcon was in the right place at the right time for Miami, as he cleraed the ball at the goal line.

“We knew Nate would run for us with and without the ball,” Cherundolo said. “He worked extremely hard. Understood what areas to press, what areas to occupy defensively, and his ability to run in behind comes natural for him. We knew that would be a threat and a lot to handle for their center backs.”

Ordaz also had a bit of lady luck on his side in the first half. A showdown for a ball resulted in Ordaz hitting Falcon in the face, referee Ohane Nation got the call for video review to see if Ordaz’s fout warranted a red card, but after all was said, Nation deemed the infraction only harsh enough for a yellow card.

While LAFC did a good job for the most part of neutralizing Miami’s attack, the visitors still had their shots. The LAFC faithful held their collective breaths on three separate occasions, as Messi had three free kicks, all well within striking distance of goal, with two in the first half and a third attempt in the second half. The first set piece went over goal and into the stands, though not by much, the second attempt was more on target, though easily saved by keeper Hugo Lloris, and the lone attempt in the second half was sent into the 3252 supporters section. Messi also had a chance on the run of play in the 86th minute, as he deked Bouanga, dribbled inside, then fired his patented left-footed shot, and put enough sauce on the shot that after making the initial save, spilled the ball back out, though Lloris was eventually able to corral the ball.

“We were active,” Cherundolo said of his team’s collective defensive effort. “I think he always had a black jersey in front of [Messi]. That’s the point. You can’t defend nor can you always shut down Jordi Alba, Busquets or Suarez. No disrespect to other players on the team, they have an unbelievable roster, but those guys are going to get a chance or two.”

Before the concluding second leg, LAFC will first travel to Houston to face the Dynamo on Saturday.