The eagerly awaited 2021 Major League Soccer season is finally underway, with plenty of excitement, spills and goals on display during a frenetic opening weekend.
From an early goal for the season challenger to a strong miss by the season challenger, the MLS opening bid really threw everything at us. Here is a 90-minute summary of the action at both Eastern and Western conferences.
David Beckham’s Inter Miami disappointingly lost their season-opening game when Javier Hernandez returned to haunt former Manchester United team-mate Phil Neville with a brace in a 3-2LA Galaxy victory.
Miami led twice during the game thanks to goals from Robbie Robinson and Gonzalo Higuain, and looked on the way to pick up maximum points less than 20 minutes ago. But after Hernandez, affectionately known as “Chicharito” hit his second goal, Sacha Kljestan was on hand to kick home the Galaxy winner with nine minutes left in the match.
“The result aside, the opportunity was everything – and probably more.”
Watch Phil Neville’s full #IntermiamiCF post-match press conference: https://t.co/r8aO8521SX pic.twitter.com/IjuUSgrA2F
– Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 18, 2021
Elsewhere, DC United came from behind to defeat New York City 2-1 at Audi Field and fought back after Valentin Castellanos had eliminated the away team. Goals from Brendan Hines-Ike and Russell Canouse turned the game upside down and despite their best efforts, Ronny Deila’s side could not come up with an answer.
The New England Revolution recovered from two goals to earn a point in a very competitive 2-2 draw at the Chicago Fire, but this weekend’s match came between CF Montreal and Toronto FC – which played out an entertaining six-goal thriller.
It was Thierry Henry’s previous side who came 4-2 winners thanks to goals from Mason Toye, Romell Quioto, Victor Wanyama – formerly Tottenham and Southampton – and Djordje Mihailovic.
Victor Wanyama was on the scoring side for Montreal against Toronto | Mike Stobe / Getty Images
Nashville and Cincinnati drew 2-2 on the LP field, and there were no goals between Columbus Crew and Philadelphia Union or Orlando City and Atlanta United.
The New York Red Bulls meanwhile suffered a 2-1 defeat in their season opener despite taking the lead against Sporting Kansas City. Caden Clark grabbed the Bulls goal, but two goals in one minute allowed the Wizards to pick up all three points.
The best of the Western Conference action came in Seattle, as the Sounders began their season perfectly with a 4-0 victory over Minnesota United.
Raul Ruidiaz played host to the hosts and his two goals were squeezed between goals from Joao Paulo and Fredy Montero.
Raul Ruidiaz was the star of Seattle’s victory over Minnesota United | Emilee Chinn / Getty Images
Elsewhere, FC Dallas and Colorado Rapids played a 0-0 draw, while Los Angeles FC defeated MLS debutants Austin FC 2-0 in front of an audience of just under 5,000 at the Banc of California Stadium.
The Houston Dynamo kept their nerve to earn all three points against the San Jose Earthquakes and claimed a 2-1 victory despite Paul Marie’s goal 15 minutes from time, while the Vancouver Whitecaps won a narrow 1-0 victory over the Portland Timbers thanks to Lucas Cavallinis second half.
Houston Dynamo 2-1 San Jose
CF Montreal 4-2 Toronto FC
LAFC 2-0 Austin
Seattle Sounders 4-0 Minnesota
Orlando City 0-0 Atlanta United
NY Red Bulls 1-2 Sporting KC
DC United 2-1 NYC FC
Nashville 2-2 Cincinnati
Columbus 0-0 Philadelphia
FC Dallas 0-0 Colorado
Chicago 2-2 New England
Inter Miami 2-3 LA Galaxy
Vancouver 1-0 Portland
