MLS spotlight: Inter Miami vs LAFC opens season with Messi and Germán Berterame

Bassyonni

Published: February 21, 2026 10:14 PM ET

MLS spotlight

The 2026 MLS regular season begins with one of the league’s biggest draw cards: Inter Miami vs LAFC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, February 21, 2026, with kickoff set for 9:30 p.m. ET. The matchup pairs the reigning champions led by Messi against an LAFC side headlined by a new marquee attacker and a proven home-field edge, turning LAFC vs Inter Miami into an immediate tone-setter for the season.

Inter Miami vs LAFC: what’s at stake

For Inter Miami, the opener is less about easing into the calendar and more about signaling whether last year’s run is repeatable. Starting the title defense on the road against a contender is a stress test for depth, fitness, and game control—especially early in the year when teams are still calibrating after preseason.

For LAFC, the night is a statement opportunity: beating the champions in a standalone opener adds early momentum and reinforces the club’s ambition to set the pace in the Western Conference.

Messi fitness and the new-look Miami attack

The biggest pregame question has centered on Messi’s readiness after a minor preseason issue. Recent training updates have pointed to him being available, keeping the spotlight fixed on whether Miami can start fast rather than manage minutes.

A second storyline is Germán Berterame, brought in to bolster the front line and reduce the burden on the veteran core. If Berterame is integrated quickly, Miami’s attack can rotate more fluidly and maintain intensity deeper into matches—something that matters over a long MLS season, but also in high-profile openers where tempo swings are decisive.

If you’re searching “inter miami vs …” for a preview, the simplest frame is this: Miami’s ceiling stays highest when they can control possession phases and then accelerate into the final third without becoming stretched in transition.

LAFC’s star power and early-season form

LAFC enters the opener with confidence after a strong attacking showing in recent competitive action, highlighted by a high-scoring performance and sharp combination play up front. That matters because the opener is at a large venue and will feel like an event—teams that start crisply tend to feed off it.

The headline addition is a global-name attacker paired with an established goal threat, giving LAFC multiple ways to break a defense: quick vertical counters, wide overloads, and late-box runs. Against Miami, that variety is important because it can force Miami’s midfield to defend deeper than it wants, limiting the quick service that makes Messi most dangerous.

Where to watch LAFC vs Inter Miami

If you’re specifically asking “where to watch LAFC vs Inter Miami”, the match is available through the league’s primary streaming package, MLS Season Pass, which carries MLS regular-season games. Local radio calls are also scheduled in the Los Angeles market, including Spanish-language options.

Kickoff time conversions:

6:30 p.m. local time (Los Angeles)
9:30 p.m. ET

Key takeaways to follow live

Miami’s front-line balance: How quickly Berterame links play will influence how often Messi can receive the ball in the most dangerous pockets.
LAFC’s transition threat: If LAFC can win the ball and attack space behind Miami’s midfield, the game can tilt quickly.
Set pieces and second balls: Early-season matches often hinge on restarts and loose-box moments more than polished build-up.
Game management late: With a long season ahead, substitutions and tempo control in the final 20 minutes may decide the opener.

Why this opener matters for the MLS season

Season openers don’t decide trophies, but they shape narratives and can reveal real tactical truths. A Miami win would reinforce the idea that the champions’ baseline remains high—even away from home—while an LAFC win would underline that the Western race could run through Los Angeles again.

And for fans searching “inter miami - lafc,” “lafc - inter miami,” “lafc vs inter miami,” or even “inter de miami,” the appeal is the same: elite star power, a big-stage venue, and a matchup that instantly feels like a playoff preview—only it arrives on Day 1.