For all of its success last season, the Los Angeles Football Club tended to break slow out of the starting gate.
As the defending MLS Cup champions returned to competition for the first time since lifting the trophy in November, they did not want to wait so long to take control of matches.
After receiving diamond-clad rings commemorating the championship victory over the Philadelphia Union , head coach Steve Cherundolo’s group did what it wanted by jumping in front of the Portland Timbers and remaining there for a 3-2 victory Saturday afternoon at BMO Stadium.
Last season, LAFC relied on impressive depth to overrun teams in the second half, outscoring the opposition 45-15 compared to a negative-two goal differential prior to the break.
Not long after the banners were unveiled in the rafters Saturday, first-half goals by Giorgio Chiellini (the Italian defender’s first in MLS) and team captain Carlos Vela (the Mexican forward’s 70th regular-season finish) propelled LAFC on an opening day delayed by last weekend’s inclement weather that pushed back an anticipated debut against the Galaxy at the Rose Bowl.
Following halftime, LAFC forward Mahala Opoku added a third goal to ensure the home team’s wire-to-wire victory.
Portland’s high-profile Designated Player from Brazil, 24-year-old Evander, hit a pretty one-timer for his first MLS goal to put the visitors on the board an hour into the match. The Timbers (1-1-0, 3 points) then cut it to a one-goal game in the 84th minute when Cristhian Parades cleaned up a loose ball in front of LAFC keeper John McCarthy after he leaped out of goal trying unsuccessfully to knock away a corner kick.
The victory marked six consecutive season-opening wins for LAFC (1-0-0, 3 points), tying FC Dallas for the MLS record.
LAFC travels to Costa Rica for a CONCACAF Champions League contest Thursday against Alajuelense, then returns to BMO Stadium against the New England Revolution on Sunday.
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