Los Angeles, CA – LAFC begins its ninth Major League Soccer season with a highly anticipated match against defending MLS Cup champions Inter Miami CF on Saturday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a venue chosen to accommodate expected high ticket demand. The match, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. PT, will be broadcast on Apple TV.
The game marks the first time LAFC has played at the historic Coliseum, a stadium with a capacity exceeding 60,000, and features a clash of star power with LAFC’s Son Heung-Min and Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi both expected to play, according to reports. The event is part of the inaugural Walmart Saturday Showdown, a new MLS showcase series.
LAFC forward Denis Bouanga acknowledged the significance of the match and the quality of their opponents, but emphasized the importance of focusing on his team’s performance. “We know that it is an important match and that the rival has great players, but the most important thing is to focus on our game and on what we want to do within the field,” Bouanga said during a press conference Friday.
Bouanga also highlighted the anticipated atmosphere at the Coliseum, believing the home crowd could be a significant factor. “Playing in front of our fans in a stadium like this is something special,” he stated. “We want to give them a good performance and start the season in the best way.”
LAFC head coach Marc Dos Santos stressed the need for intensity from the opening whistle, despite it being the first game of the season. “It’s the first game, but for us every game counts. We want to show our identity, be aggressive, have personality and compete at the highest level,” Dos Santos explained.
Dos Santos reiterated his team’s intention to control the match despite Inter Miami’s championship pedigree. “Inter Miami is the champion and has world-class players, but when we play at home our mentality is clear: control the game and play our football.”
Concerns regarding Lionel Messi’s availability had circulated following a left hamstring strain sustained during a recent match against Barcelona SC. However, Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano confirmed that the entire traveling squad is fit to play. “All those who traveled are fit to play,” Mascherano stated in a press conference, allaying doubts about Messi’s participation.
Mascherano acknowledged the challenge of opening the season against a strong opponent in a tough environment. “We know we are facing a great team and in a difficult environment. LAFC is a rival that always competes and has a lot of quality,” he said. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the identity that led his team to the title last season. “We have to be a solid team, with personality and concentration. The season is long, but we want to start well and compete from day one.”
Mascherano also noted the broader significance of the match for the growth of MLS. “These are the games that help the growth of the league,” he said. “There is a lot of expectation and we have the responsibility to live up to it.”
