LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris gets to the ball before Lionel Messi during LAFC’s home opener against Inter Miami on February 21, 2026. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer) LAFC forward Denis Bouanga fights for the ball during LAFC’s home opener against Inter Miami on February 21 , 2026. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer) LAFC forward Son Heung-Min fights for the ball during LAFC’s home opener against Inter Miami on February 21, 2026. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer) LAFC defender Nkosi Tafari wins back the ball during LAFC’s home opener against Inter Miami on February 21, 2026. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer) LAFC midfielder Mark Delgado carries the ball up the field during LAFC’s home opener against Inter Miami on February 21, 2026. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer) LAFC forward Son Heung-Min fights for the ball during LAFC’s home opener against Inter Miami on February 21, 2026. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer) LAFC defender Eddie Segura performs a header during LAFC’s home opener against Inter Miami on February 21, 2026. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer) Show Caption1 of 7LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris gets to the ball before Lionel Messi during LAFC’s home opener against Inter Miami on February 21, 2026. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer) Expand LOS ANGELES — Head coaches come and go, yet those changes haven’t done a thing to quell the Los Angeles Football Club’s opening day dominance. Starting the club’s ninth season in Major League Soccer on Saturday, the largest crowd the league has produced for Matchday 1 filled the Memorial Coliseum to see if LAFC’s newest head coach, Marc Dos Santos, could extend perfection by defeating the defending MLS Cup champions and favorite to repeat, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami. In front of an announced crowd of 75,673, anchored by a supporters’ section of 5,000, LAFC stifled Messi and his teammates to jump out the gate with a statement-making performance powered by goals from David Martínez, Denis Bouanga and Nathan Ordaz. Fielding a starting XI that was unchanged from Tuesday’s 6-1 CONCACAF Champions Cup drubbing in Honduras, LAFC (1-0-0, 3 points) limited Miami (0-1-0, 0 points) to a trio of shots on goal, helping Hugo Lloris – the all-time LAFC leader in regular season wins, shutouts and games played in goal – secure his 25th clean sheet since joining MLS in 2024. Scoring and assisting on Tuesday versus Real España, Martínez backed up his effort in Honduras during much of LAFC’s inaugural appearance at the Coliseum, a short walk from the Black Gold home grounds of BMO Stadium. While Miami struggled to threaten, the 20-year-old Martínez appeared once again to be the biggest beneficiary of Dos Santos’s ascension in the wake of Steve Cherundolo’s four-year run as head coach. “I’m super appreciative of Marc ever since I got here,” said Martinez, who scored the game winner with his left foot inside the box in the 38th minute. “He’s always given me advice and talked to me, so I appreciate the opportunities he gives me. I’m going to continue to seek him out and chat with him.” “It’s a new year,” he added. “A beautiful year. I think I’m going to take advantage of every opportunity I get. Lay it all out there on the field and give the club the best I can.” Putting LAFC ahead at the half off an assist from Son Heung-min after Timothy Tillman forced a turnover in the Miami end, Martínez was influential in a variety of ways prior to exiting in the 68th minute. Beginning his third season with LAFC since arriving from Venezuela at the age of 17, “last year he didn’t get much of a chance, but I think probably this year will be the one,” Bouanga suggested prior to Saturday’s match. “Sonny is also participating, giving him advice and mentoring him. I think this year is his chance to show what he’s up to.” LAFC struck six shots on target against goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, who joined Miami as a free agent after being recognized as the top goalkeeper in MLS last year. In the 73rd minute, Bouanga scored his first of the season as he seeks to break his own record with a fourth straight 20-goal MLS campaign. Bouanga tracked Tillman’s long ball over the top of the defense, headed it to himself beyond St. Clair’s reach, and coolly finished inside the box for his 105th goal in all competitions with LAFC. The prolific forward then added an assist in stoppage time, drilling a low cross that was redirected for goal No. 3 off the foot of Ordaz, who replaced Son in the 88th minute. Miami’s best chance came near the hour mark, when new Designated Player Germán Berterame headed the ball just wide. Meanwhile, Messi, who suffered a hamstring strain two weeks ago, did not have a shot on target. The all-time great 38-year-old Argentine rarely exhibited the short bursts of speed or uncanny vision that made him nearly impossible to defend throughout his career. And in the moments the footballing icon appeared close to challenging Lloris, Messi was repeatedly rebuffed. Employing a hybrid back line consisting of fullback Sergi Palencia and a trio of center backs – Ryan Porteous, Nkosi Tafari and Eddie Segura – Dos Santos described the defensive effort as exceptional. “When you prepare for the best Messi around the box, you have to have numbers around him,” Dos Santos said. “And when he has the ball and the ball is uncovered, you have to be sure you follow the late runs because he finds players in the pocket. Then, when he starts running and playing 1-2s, you have to follow and continue with our runs. That part of our game today: A+.” Related Articles 4 questions for LAFC before 2026 MLS opener vs. Inter Miami CF LAFC overwhelms Real España in CONCACAF Champions Cup opener LAFC set to begin new era with CONCACAF Champions Cup game at Real España Stephen Eustáquio joins LAFC on loan LAFC GM John Thorrington says everyone is ‘buying in’ as new era begins ...read more read less