MLS Season Opens with Upsets
MLS Season 1 kicked off with LAFC crushing defending champions Inter Miami 3-0 behind goals from David Martinez (37'), Denis Bouanga (73'), and Nathan Ordaz (90+4'). Other notable results included Portland Timbers edging Columbus Crew 3-2 and San Diego FC routing Montreal 5-0 in their debut.
- The LAFC vs. Inter Miami match was played in front of 75,673 fans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, making it the second-most attended regular-season match in MLS history. - This game featured a head-to-head matchup between two of the league's biggest international stars, LAFC's Son Heung-min and Inter Miami's Lionel Messi. - The victory for LAFC marked a successful debut for their new head coach, Marc dos Santos. - In Portland, Timbers midfielder Diego Chará set a new MLS record by making his 400th career start with a single club. The Timbers secured their victory with an 88th-minute game-winning goal from Ariel Lassiter. - San Diego FC's dominant 5-0 win in their season opener came in their second season in the league, not their debut. - The lopsided San Diego-Montreal match saw five different players score for the home side. Montreal was forced to play a man down after a red card was issued to Tomas Aviles in the 50th minute. - LAFC has an impressive history in season openers, extending their league-record winning streak to nine consecutive opening day victories. - Inter Miami, the defending MLS Cup champions, had a difficult start to their title defense, with key players like Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets having retired after the previous season.
