LAFC made the Champions Cup finals in 2020 and 2023 and beat the Columbus Crew 4–2 on aggregate in the Round of 16 last month. Denis Bouanga, the MLS Golden Boot winner in 2023 and co-runner-up with Messi and Luis Suarez last season, scored three of L.A.’s four goals against the Crew.

Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano recognized the importance of reaching the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals as a young club, but warned against taking the quarterfinal series against LAFC for granted.

Seeking its third Champions Cup final, LAFC hosts its star-laden MLS counterpart in the first leg of their quarterfinal clash Wednesday night at BMO Stadium