MLS Season Kicks Off with Clash Between LAFC and Inter Miami

The 2026 Major League Soccer (MLS) season begins this Saturday, February 21, with a highly anticipated match between Los Angeles FC (LAFC) and Inter Miami CF at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This opening-day contest pits two of the league’s top teams against each other, representing the Western and Eastern Conferences, respectively.

Team Lineups and Key Players

Inter Miami CF Projected Starting XI

Inter Miami enters the match as the defending MLS Cup champions, having defeated Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the 2025 MLS Cup final. Head coach Javier Mascherano will likely field a 4-2-3-1 formation, featuring:

• Goalkeeper: Dayne St. Clair
• Defenders: Ian Fray, Maximiliano Falcón, Micael, Sergio Reguilón
• Midfielders: Rodrigo De Paul, Yannick Bright, Tadeo Allende, Lionel Messi
• Forward: Germán Berterame

Lionel Messi’s availability is currently uncertain due to a recent injury, but his presence, even on the bench, would be a significant boost for Inter Miami. Other key players include goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, acquired from D.C. United, and veteran midfielder Rodrigo De Paul.

LAFC Projected Starting XI

LAFC will respond with a 4-3-3 formation, aiming to capitalize on their home-field advantage. Their projected starting lineup is:

• Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris
• Defenders: Eddie Segura, Nkosi Tafari, Ryan Porteous, Ryan Hollingshead
• Midfielders: Mark Delgado, Timothy Tillman, Sergi Palencia
• Forwards: Nathan Ordaz, Son Heung-min, Denis Bouanga

LAFC boasts a strong attacking lineup led by Son Heung-min, who arrived in 2025 for a record MLS transfer fee, and Denis Bouanga, the club’s all-time leading scorer. Hugo Lloris, the former captain of Tottenham Hotspur, will anchor the defense.

Match Details

The match is scheduled for 9:30 PM PST on February 21 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Coverage will be provided by Apple TV. Odds favor LAFC slightly, with a moneyline of +110 compared to Inter Miami’s +105, as of February 21, 2026.

Recent Encounters

Recent matches between the two sides have been closely contested:

• April 9, 2025: Inter Miami CF 3 – 1 LAFC (Concacaf Champions Cup)
• April 2, 2025: LAFC 1 – 0 Inter Miami CF (Concacaf Champions Cup)
• September 3, 2023: LAFC 1 – 3 Inter Miami CF (MLS)
• March 12, 2022: Inter Miami CF 0 – 2 LAFC (MLS)
• March 1, 2020: LAFC 1 – 0 Inter Miami CF (MLS)

Looking Ahead

This season opener marks a significant moment for both clubs. Inter Miami will be playing their first season at Miami Freedom Park, while LAFC returns to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for a special one-off match. The outcome of this game will set the tone for their respective campaigns as they compete in MLS, the CONCACAF Champions Cup, and Leagues Cup throughout the year.