The opening night of MLS provided plenty of entertainment, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic netting a late winner to the LA Galaxy while Michael Bradley put in a star showing in a 3-1 win for Toronto FC.
Bradley scored the first goal of the 2019 MLS season to put TFC out in front just before halftime against the Philadelphia Union. The midfielder would net again just after the hour mark to double the lead before new signing Marco Fabian pulled one back for the Union from the penalty spot.
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A stoppage-time strike from Nick DeLeon made sure of the win for Toronto, getting the club off to a strong start in 2019 as it looks to rebound from a disastrous 2018 campaign.
Ibrahimovic was also up to his old tricks, nodding home a rebound from a Chris Pontius shot in the 80th minute to hand the Galaxy a 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire.
The Galaxy went behind just after the break, C.J. Sapong pouncing on a sloppy back pass and rounding David Bingham to slot home for the Fire. Teenage sensation Efrain Alvarez helped the Galaxy back into the match, playing in a lovely cross for Daniel Steres to head home and setting the table for Ibrahimovic to come up with a winner.
The Colorado Rapids and Portland Timbers played out what may have been the most exciting match of the day in a snowstorm.
Kei Kamara opened the scoring for the Rapids, but goals from Diego Valeri and Sebastian Blanco had the Timbers back in front before halftime.
Benny Feilhaber's first goal for Colorado pulled the home side back level just a minute after the re-start, but a Rapids seemed to have doomed themselves with an own goal on 66 minutes. But Andre Shinyashiki was on hand to slam home a rebound in the 94th minute to earn an unlikely draw for Colorado in the sloppy conditions.
❄️ SNOW MUCH FUN!!! ❄️#Rapids96 | #SnowClasico3 | #COLvPOR pic.twitter.com/RZGfOEsPIu
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) March 3, 2019
The Seattle Sounders got an inspiring return to action from Jordan Morris, who netted twice in a 4-1 win over expansion side FC Cincinnati.
The first-year MLS club actually had an early lead, Leonardo Bertone scoring a stunning first MLS goal in club history to give his side the advantage just 13 minutes in.
An epic finish by Leo Bertone that will forever be remembered in #FCCincy history. #IgniteUnite pic.twitter.com/63jlVESFwR
— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) March 3, 2019
But the Sounders answered quickly, with Kelvin Leerdam slotting home from close range and Morris striking twice before halftime, with Raul Ruidiaz netting the club's fourth in the second half to make sure of a comfortable win.
Minnesota United claimed an opening day win over the Vancouver Whitecaps, Darwin Quintero, Francisco Calvo and Romario Ibarra all finding the net for the Loons as they took a 3-2 win on the road.
The Montreal Impact also found a comeback win to start their season.
Magnus Eriksson had the San Jose Earthquakes out in front early on, but goals from Ignacio Piatti and Saphir Taider saw the Canadian side come from behind to earn a win.
The rest of the league saw draws on opening day, with Orlando City and New York City FC playing out a 2-2 result in a match that saw former Manchester United winger Nani make his MLS debut. The Columbus Crew and New York Red Bulls finished at 1-1, while Houston and Real Salt Lake played out a 1-1 draw, and New England finished level with FC Dallas at one goal apiece.
