Los Angeles vs Inter Miami

BMO Stadium is the venue as Los Angeles and Inter Miami go head-to-head in a mouth-watering Major League Soccer clash.

Despite sitting seven points adrift of Western Conference pacesetters St. Louis City, Los Angeles could still reach the playoffs as the conference winners as they have two games in hand. However, the hosts must address their patchy form to leapfrog the newest MLS franchise, having alternated between winning (2) and not (D2, L1) across their last five league outings, most recently losing 2-1 at Charlotte. Playing at home should come in handy, with Los Angeles only losing twice in 13 MLS fixtures in California (W8, D2). Steve Cherundolo’s men have won back-to-back home league games in the build-up to this encounter by 3+ goals ‘to nil,’ suggesting Inter’s defense could be in for a long day. But a two-game winless home run beforehand (D1, L1) indicates there’s no room for complacency.

In the meantime, Inter Miami’s resurgence after the arrivals of Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba saw the club get their hands on the Leagues Cup trophy last month! But reaching the playoffs in the Eastern Conference looks like a pipe dream for Gerardo Martino’s side unless they can close a massive 11-point gap on 9th-placed DC United down the final stretch. After toppling New York RB 2-0 in their first MLS fixture with Messi in the team, the ‘Herons’ shared the spoils with Nashville in a tepid 0-0 home draw last time out despite boasting 69% possession and 13 shots on goal. But to make amends for that result, Inter must score their first-ever MLS goal against Los Angeles for starters (L2).