LAFC halt Inter Miami momentum with Concacaf Champions Cup shutout | OneFootball

By Justin Ruderman

LOS ANGELES – Halfway there.

In front of a star-studded BMO Stadium crowd filled with Hollywood celebrities ranging from Lionel Richie to Stephen Curry, LAFC managed the rare feat of shutting out Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF and got a crucial goal in their bid for a Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal berth.

Thanks to a 57th-minute strike from Nathan Ordaz and stellar plays from goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, the Black & Gold have a 1-0 aggregate lead at the halfway point of the all-MLS quarterfinal series against the previously unbeaten Herons.

"It was electric. It was loud. A lot like a playoff match for LAFC," head coach Steve Cherundolo said postgame Wednesday.

"We haven't felt that in this building in a long time, such a late kick, such an electric atmosphere, and yes, the players absolutely feed off that. They rose to the occasion tonight."

Homegrown heroics

After a scoreless first half, both teams searched for a second-half hero. Just before the hour mark, the Black & Gold's 21-year-old homegrown attacker delivered.

Receiving the ball from Mark Delgado with his back to goal, Ordaz turned on a dime before unleashing a pinpoint grass-cutter into the bottom corner from long range.

"He's earned the trust. Trust is something you don't just give, you earn it, and Nate has earned that trust," Cherundolo said. "It shows in training. He's come on really well this season, worked hard in the offseason, and he has taken his chance. He earned the right to play."

Fans may have entered the stadium talking about Messi, but they left talking about Ordaz.

"It's really big," the El Salvador international said of his goal. "As a forward, you have to score goals. To do it against Inter Miami, who is a great team, and against Messi, it always feels good."

Defensive dominance

For Ordaz's lone goal to be enough for victory, LAFC still needed to keep Miami off the scoreboard – something no club had done this year against Messi, Luis Suárez & Co. during their 8W-0L-1D start across all competitions.

"We all do this amazing job for having these kinds of games. This is the best for the player. The experiences are incredible," defender Sergi Palencia said.

"You are nervous before the game. It's like, I don't know what is gonna happen because it's players that you used to watch in the team, you used to adorate, you used to see like gods. Now you're facing them, so your motivation, your focus, has to be crazy."

In five CCC matches between the sticks this season, Lloris has conceded just four goals while keeping three clean sheets against the Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew and now Inter Miami. He also carries the same stat line in five MLS matches this year.

"I think [Messi] always had a black jersey in front of him and that's the point. You can't defend him, nor can you always shut down Jordi Alba, [Sergio] Busquets [or] Suárez," Cherundolo explained.

"Those guys are gonna get a chance or two and the only way to defend players of that quality and teams with that quality is with the collective effort. The collective effort and getting numbers around their players in the critical areas was important and we did a good job today."

"Nothing to lose"

In their two previous Concacaf Champions Cup appearances, LAFC reached the final both times (2020, '23). Before they can make a third, the Black & Gold need to find a way through Leg 2 next week at Chase Stadium.

Replicating this impressive outing in Miami could be easier said than done.

"Just be aggressive, be ourselves, don't be afraid, don't be shy. Let's just, let's go," Palencia said.

"We know [it is] so difficult if we sit in a low block and we want to maintain this 0-0 and get past the round; it's gonna be a long, long night. We have to press them, we have to be brave and we have nothing to lose. We are in a good position, but we have to confirm that."