The two top clubs in MLS will meet as Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami faces Son Heung-Min’s Los Angeles FC in their season opener on Saturday night.
After some preseason injury worries, both teams are expected to be nearly at full strength for the match, which has been relocated to the larger Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Messi, the current MLS Golden Boot winner and two-time MVP, has returned to training after experiencing a mild hamstring injury that postponed Miami’s final preseason friendly in Puerto Rico.
Manager Javier Mascherano shared his disappointment about missing the trip to Puerto Rico, citing the missed opportunity for team preparation and cultural exchange.
As Miami prepares to defend its MLS Cup title, they learned this week that new striker German Berterame can play after getting his work visa. Without Berterame, Miami might have turned to 39-year-old Luis Suarez, who came off the bench last postseason, or possibly positioned Messi at the top of the lineup as they did during the playoffs.
On the other side, Son did not participate in any preseason matches due to a minor lower-body injury. However, he eased concerns with an impressive display in LAFC’s CONCACAF Champions Cup opener, scoring one goal and assisting three others in a dominant 6-1 victory over Real Espana in the first leg of their series.
Denis Bouanga was the standout player, scoring a hat trick and putting LAFC in a strong position for the return leg. This success may allow new manager Marc Dos Santos to give his regular players more time on the pitch against Miami.
Bouanga expressed his happiness after the match, thanking his teammates for their support in achieving the hat trick.