Mascherano 'not going to make a tragedy' of Inter Miami's season-opening loss

Javier Mascherano insists Inter Miami are "not going to make a tragedy" of their season-opening defeat to Los Angeles FC ahead of their second MLS match against Orlando City SC on Sunday.

MLS Cup champions Miami got their title defence off to a shaky start as they were held back by an inspired LAFC performance, with goals from Denis Bouanga, David Martinez and Nathan Ordaz condemning Mascherano's side to a 3-0 defeat at the LA Memorial Coliseum last week.

The Herons enjoyed a historic 2025 campaign as they claimed their maiden MLS Cup title in spectacular fashion after finishing third in the East, eventually defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps in the league's showpiece match.

Miami will now hope to get their first points on the board this season as they travel across Florida to face state rivals Orlando City at Inter&Co Stadium on Sunday.

"[LAFC] beat us fair and square, that's the reality," Mascherano said following their season opener.

"My initial analysis is that the result is somewhat misleading, as there wasn't that much difference in the game itself. Los Angeles clearly made the difference in terms of transitions; they hurt us a lot.

"But we're not going to make a tragedy out of it either, we know we have to improve, we have to keep insisting on the positive things we've done.

"The team had moments where it controlled the game, but you will never hear me make individual assessments of players, especially after a defeat.

"Now I am the only one responsible."