On an exceptional football night, South Korean star Heung-min Son remarkably outshone Argentine legend Lionel Messi, leading his new team, Los Angeles FC, to a resounding and well-deserved 3-0 victory over Inter Miami in the opening match of the Major League Soccer (MLS) season, which took place on Saturday in front of a historic crowd.
Son Heung-min, who joined Inter Miami in a record-breaking transfer from Tottenham Hotspur, made a dream debut, setting up the opening goal for Venezuelan teammate David Martinez in the 38th minute. Gabon's Denis Bouanga added a second in the 73rd minute, before substitute Nathan Ordaz completed the scoring in stoppage time (90+4). Throughout the match, Son was a constant threat to Inter Miami's defense with his pace and skill, quickly establishing his value to the league.
Background of the event and its growing importance
This match wasn't just a season opener; it was a symbol of the phenomenal growth of Major League Soccer. Since Lionel Messi's arrival at Inter Miami in the summer of 2013, the league has experienced an unprecedented surge in global interest, with ticket sales and television subscriptions skyrocketing—a phenomenon known as the "Messi effect." This momentum has, in turn, attracted other global stars like Son Heung-min, transforming the league into a magnet for top players and raising the bar for competition and anticipation.
Historic atmosphere and global impact
Due to overwhelming public demand to see the clash between two of the game's biggest stars, the match was moved to the massive Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. The game drew a crowd of approximately 76,000, making it the second-largest attendance in MLS history. This huge number reflected the local and global interest in the match, with MLS Commissioner Don Garber stating that they could have sold out of the usual Los Angeles stadium "five times over," underscoring the league's immense popularity.
Disappointment for Messi and his teammates
On the other hand, it was a disappointing night for Inter Miami fans who came to see their team's world champion and eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, Lionel Messi. Despite his team's long periods of possession, they failed to create any real danger for Los Angeles FC. It was clear that the team, which also includes former Barcelona stars like Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, still needs more time to find its rhythm. This loss serves as an early warning for the team, which is considered one of the favorites to win the title this season.
This season presents a major challenge for MLS teams, as it will pause intermittently to accommodate international tournaments, most notably the 2024 Copa America hosted by the United States this summer, which will put the depth of squads and the teams' ability to adapt to the test.
