Los Angeles FC secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Inter Miami CF in the first leg of the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals Wednesday night at BMO Stadium, taking a slim advantage into next week’s return leg in Fort Lauderdale.
But the buildup to the highly anticipated showdown was marked by off-field news, as Inter Miami confirmed that Lionel Messi’s personal bodyguard, Yassine Cheuko, would no longer be stationed on the sideline during matches. The decision, made by the club, came despite Cheuko’s viral popularity and visible presence throughout Messi’s MLS tenure, often seen scanning crowds and preventing pitch invaders from approaching the global superstar.
A club spokesperson told USA TODAY Sports that Cheuko will continue to work with the club in a different capacity, but his sideline duties are over. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Major League Soccer stated the league had not issued any updates to its protocols regarding field security personnel.
On the field, the quarterfinal first leg was a cagey affair early, with both teams deploying disciplined defensive lines. Neither side found a breakthrough in the opening 45 minutes, as LAFC and Inter Miami traded possession and probed for openings without much success.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 57th minute when LAFC forward Nathan Ordaz struck with precision. Off a pass from midfielder Mark Delgado, Ordaz unleashed a powerful right-footed effort from distance that beat Inter Miami keeper Drake Callender low to the far post, putting the hosts in front.
Inter Miami pressed for an equalizer in the closing stages, with Lionel Messi nearly producing a moment of magic in the 86th minute. The Argentine fired a left-footed shot from just outside the box, but veteran LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was up to the challenge, diving low to make a crucial save.
Lloris ended the night with three saves and earned his third clean sheet of the tournament, anchoring a resilient LAFC defense that held off Messi and his supporting cast.
The two sides will reconvene next Wednesday for the decisive second leg at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The winner on aggregate will advance to the semifinals of the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup.
