Set to lose Lionel Messi and eight other players to international duty next week, Inter Miami first head west for a cross-country road trip at defending champions LAFC on Sunday.
It's a huge match for the MLS side that was held to a scoreless draw last time out, a frustrating affair against Nashville SC amidst the chase for a playoff spot.
Inter Miami sat bottom of the Eastern Conference at the restart of MLS action following the Leagues Cup, and after collecting four points in two games since, they are still 14th in the table, level on points with the bottom dwellers Toronto FC. They are 10 points adrift of a playoff spot with 10 matches to go.
LAFC, meanwhile, are second in the Western Conference, a good distance back of St. Louis City SC but still in great position to host playoff games if they can keep pace.
LIVE BLOG: Follow along as Lionel Messi and Inter Miami visit the west coast to meet LAFC
LAFC vs Inter Miami live stream, TV channel
| Streaming | |
|---|---|
| Global | Apple TV+ (MLS Season Pass) |
MORE: Watch Premier League matches live with Fubo in USA
What time does LAFC vs Inter Miami kick off?
This MLS regular season match at BMO Stadium kicks off on Sunday, September 3 at 7 p.m. local time in Los Angeles, California.
Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA / Canada | Sun, Sep. 3 | 10 p.m. ET |
| USA / Canada | Sun, Sep. 3 | 7 p.m. PT |
| UK | Mon, Sep. 4 | 3 a.m. BST |
| Australia | Mon, Sep. 4 | 12 p.m. AEST |
| India | Mon, Sep. 4 | 7:30 a.m. IST |
| Hong Kong | Mon, Sep. 4 | 10 a.m. HKT |
| Malaysia | Mon, Sep. 4 | 10 a.m. MYT |
| Singapore | Mon, Sep. 4 | 10 a.m. SGT |
| New Zealand | Mon, Sep. 4 | 2 p.m. NZST |
MORE: A full tracker of all players who have swapped shirts with Lionel Messi with Inter Miami
LAFC vs Inter Miami projected lineups & team news
Club talisman Carlos Vela has been rested a few times this season during road games, but here at home he starts alongside Golden Boot candidate Denis Bouanga up front. The same too for veteran defender Giorgio Chiellini, who was left out of the squad for the previous match against Charlotte FC on the road, but returns, although he replaces regular starter Denil Maldonado and not usual third-choice center-back Aaron Long.
In midfield, Kellyn Acosta has come off the bench the last two matches, but he is brought on to help shore up the middle of the pitch, with Timothy Tillman sacrificed and Mateusz Bogusz retained.
LAFC projected starting lineup (4-3-3): McCarthy (GK) — Palencia, Long, Chiellini, Hollingshead — Acosta, Sanchez, Gogusz — Vela, M. Gonzalez, Bouanga.
It was interesting to see what changes Tata Martino makes for this match, given the extenuating circumstances. It was conceivable that Lionel Messi would be rested from the start, given he will be heading out for international duty shortly, but he starts up front alongside Facundo Farias. The battle for the striker spot has seen Josef Martinez and Leonardo Campana both get time, but the two are sat on the bench for this match.
At center-back, Ukrainian international Serhiy Kryvtsov has missed the last two matches with a knock, but he returns in this match in a three-CB system alongside Kamal Miller and young Tomas Aviles. There were questions in midfield too, with Benja Cremaschi sat last time, but he returns alongside Diego Gomez as the two flank Sergio Busquets. David Ruiz and Victor Ulloa are the bench options, while injury returnees Jean Mota and Gregore remain on the fringes.
MORE: Recap the scoreless draw with Nashville SC as Lionel Messi held in check for first time
Inter Miami starting lineup (4-3-3): Callender (GK) — Miller, Kryvtsov, Aviles — Yedlin, Cremaschi, Busquets, D. Gomez, Alba — Messi, Farias.
LAFC vs Inter Miami betting odds & lines
For the first time since Lionel Messi's arrival, Inter Miami are underdogs in a match, and clear ones at that, with LAFC installed as even-money home favorites.
Despite Messi being held without a goal contribution for the first time since joining his new club, goals are expected for this game between two of the league's most potent attacking sides.
| LAFC win | Draw | Inter Miami win | Both teams to score Y / N | Over / Under 2.5 goals | LAFC -0.5 | MIA +0.5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM (USA) | +100 | +270 | +225 | -185 / +130 | -175 / +120 | -110 | -135 |
| Sports Interaction (Canada) | +104 | +260 | +219 | -200 / +126 | -169 / +122 | +102 | -135 |
| Unibet (Australia) | 2.00 | 3.70 | 3.40 | 1.58 / 2.30 | 1.64 / 2.23 | 2.02 | 1.81 |
