ZCZC
BSP-08
FBL-USA-MLS
Defeat for Beckham’s Miami in MLS debut
LOS ANGELES, March 2, 2020 (MSY/AFP) – David Beckham’s Inter Miami made a
disappointing start in their Major League Soccer debut on Sunday, losing 1-0
against Los Angeles FC.
A superb chip from Mexico international striker Carlos Vela sealed victory
for Los Angeles at the Banc of California Stadium in a game dominated by the
home side.
Inter Miami joined the league this season after a tortuous journey marked
by setbacks since former England, Manchester United and Real Madrid star
Beckham exercised his option to become an owner of his own team in 2014.
Co-owner Beckham, who played for the Los Angeles Galaxy in the closing
seasons of his professional career, watched from the stands on Sunday as
Miami slipped to defeat.
Los Angeles dominated the early exchanges, with Diego Rossi coming close
to opening the scoring after only five minutes when his header from Vela’s
cross was parried away by Miami goalkeeper Luis Robles.
LAFC had the ball in the net shortly afterwards when Brian Rodriguez and
Rossi combined to tee-up Mark-Anthony Kaye.
Kaye’s low finish beat Robles but the goal was chalked off after replays
showed Rossi was just offside from Rodriguez’s pass in the build-up.
Miami’s chances, meanwhile, were few and far between, with Lewis Morgan
registering his team’s first shot after 29 minutes only for LAFC’s former
Ajax goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer to save comfortably.
Vermeer was pressed into action again soon afterwards, saving smartly from
Matias Pellegrini on 37 minutes.
The former Netherlands international goalkeeper then twice denied Miami in
the space of a few seconds, clawing away Rodolfo Pizarro’s sidefooted effort
on 42 minutes and then blocking Nicolas Figal’s follow-up header.
But just as Miami looked to have done enough to kept Los Angeles at bay
for the first half, the home side struck.
Vela, celebrating his 31st birthday, controlled on his shoulder and darted
across the edge of the Miami area before cleverly spotting Robles off his
line and scooping his finish over him and into the net.
Los Angeles had another goal disallowed for offside in the opening minute
of the second half.
Miami’s best chance of an equaliser fell to Mexico international Pizarro,
who stretched out a foot to meet Morgan’s cross early in the second half only
to see the ball roll just wide.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1017 hrs