Carlos Vela scored the first goal of the MLS season with LAFC.

Current MLS champion Los Angeles FC (LAFC) began their title defense this Saturday with a 3-2 victory over the Portland Timbers

The LAFC had their first match of the 2023 MLS season at home against the Portland, after the postponement of their first match due to heavy rain. The match was a special matchup against their Los Angeles rivals, the LA Galaxy.

With a direct and overpowering style of play, taking advantage of counterattacks and capitalizing on set pieces - three key ingredients of their 2022 title - the LAFC took an unappealable 3-0 lead early in the second half.

However, the LAFC relaxed too much in the final third of the match, and Brazilian Evander - who scored his first goal in the MLS - and Paraguayan Cristhian Paredes forced the LAFC to suffer until the end to earn the three points.

Prior to the match, the LAFC received their rings as champions of the 2022 MLS Cup and unveiled the banner that recognizes them as winners of that tournament at the recently renamed BMO Stadium.

Gareth Bale, retired from professional soccer but whose epic goal in the 128th minute of the impressive final against the Philadelphia Union was crucial for the LAFC's victory (3-3 after extra time, 3-0 in the penalty shootout), attended the tribute.

A COMMITMENT TO CONTINUITY

With important absences for this new project such as Colombian striker Cristian Arango, now at Mexican club Pachuca, coach Steve Cherundolo opted for a starting eleven composed entirely of players who were already in the Californian city last year.

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