Los Angeles Football Club hosted Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami on Sunday, Mar.1, 2020, in what was a hotly contested battle. More than an hour before kickoff, LAFC’s 3252 began to let Miami feel the entire pressure of Los Angeles. Outside, the smoky aroma of the barbeque’s filled the air and chants for Vela and his teammates came in waves.From the moment that David Beckham’s newly integrated team stepped onto the pitch, boo’s echoed throughout Banc of California stadium.

As the match started, 3252 pushed LAFC forward, almost leading them to a Diego Rossi goal in the 3rd minute, assisted by none other than Carlos Vela himself. One thing was for certain: LAFC had showed up to play. Perhaps more rotations were expected after their big midweek victory against Club Leon, but Bob Bradley still opted to start many of his regulars for the important MLS opener which hoped to set the tone for the rest of the season. The match was decided by a stroke of genius by the reigning MLS MVP, Carlos Vela. The Mexican talisman chipped Inter Miami goalkeeper, Luis Robles, just before the end of the first half to give the hosts the lead.

As usual, Latif Blessing made non stop sacrificing runs as he commanded the midfield from his deep defensive position. His box-to-box style of play complimented Vela’s ability to receive the ball from him on the wing and make those cutting runs inside with the angle favoring his left foot. Miami’s attempts at sparking some sort of meaningful attack proved futile as they failed time and time again to worry the Los Angeles defence.

Pizarro’s quiet debut

The few moves forward that held some degree of menace came solely in the form of hopeful long balls over the center defender’s heads. Even then, Miami’s winger Lewis Morgan was unable to capitalize any sort of chance against goalkeeper Vermeer. Rodolfo Pizarro, Miami’s star signing from Mexican giants Monterrey, did not have as much of an impact as expected. Although his game relies more on creating chances and setting up his teammates, he had Miami’s most clear opportunity to tie the match when he met a cross with a shot that went wide. The Los Angeles defence did well to nullify most of his dangerous through balls and resorted to fouling him on several occasions which left the player with much frustration at the end of 90 minutes.

All in all, it was a good day at the office for LAFC who kicked off their 2020 campaign with a victory against a promising team such as Miami’s that is led by David Beckham’s presidency.