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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Jeff Rueter

LAFC’s dominant win over Inter Miami showed the value of comfort and continuity

LAFC's French forward #99 Denis Bouanga (R) celebrates after scoring this team second goal with teammate South Korean forward #07 Son Heung-min during the Major League Soccer opening match between Los Angeles Football Club and Inter Miami CF at the LA Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on February 21, 2026.
Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga look to once again be MLS’s most dangerous strike pairing in 2026. Photograph: Frederic J Brown/AFP/Getty Images

You know a situation is dire when it casts Luis Suárez as its level-headed participant.

Such were the scenes after Inter Miami opened their MLS Cup defense with a pitiful 3-0 defeat at Los Angeles FC. Through 90 minutes, with LAFC coming off a midweek continental match, both team’s stars stuck it out to try starting the 2026 season on the right foot. Son Heung-min made it 89 minutes, subbed out when the result was beyond doubt. Lionel Messi played every minute but was held without a goal contribution, failing to place either of his shot attempts on target and seeing all three created chances go uncashed by his teammates.

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