LAFC starts MLS Cup defense with victory over Portland
Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela, center controls the ball against a Portland Timbers defender during the first half of an MLS season home opener at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
The 2022 MLS Supporters Shield, MLS Cup and Western Conference Trophies are displayed prior to the start of an MLS season home opener between the Los Angeles FC and the Portland Timbers at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC defender Diego Palacios, center, vies for the ball against a Portland Timbers defender during the first half of an MLS season home opener at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela kicks a penalty for a goal against the Portland Timbers during the first half of an MLS season home opener at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC goalkeeper John McCarthy, back, makes a block against Portland Timbers midfielder Marvin Loría, bottom, during the first half of an MLS season home opener at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC defender Giorgio Chiellini kicks the ball against the Portland Timbers during the first half of an MLS season home opener at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC’s Giorgio Chiellini, center, salutes the crowd after scoring the opening goal in the first half of a 3-2 season-opening victory over the Portland Timbers on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at BMO Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela, left, celebrates with teammate midfielder Ryan Hollingshead after Vela scores a goal during the first half of an MLS season home opener against the Portland Timbers at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela, left, dribbles the ball during the first half of an MLS season home opener against the Portland Timbers at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Kwadwo Opoku dribbles the ball during the second half of an MLS season home opener against the Portland Timbers at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. The Los Angeles FC won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Kwadwo Opoku, right, celebrates with teammate forward Carlos Vela, left, during the second half of an MLS season home opener at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. The Los Angeles FC won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC head coach Stece Cherundolo yells out instructions during the second half of an MLS season home opener against the Portland Timbers at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. The Los Angeles FC won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC goalkeeper John McCarthy, center, jumps to deflect the ball during the second half of an MLS season home opener against the Portland Timbers at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. The Los Angeles FC won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Kellyn Acosta takes a penalty kick against the Portland Timbers during the second half of an MLS season home opener at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. The Los Angeles FC won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Stipe Biuk, center, battles for the ball defended by Portland Timbers defender Larrys Mabiala, right and Portland Timbers defender Dario Župaric, left, during the second half of an MLS season home opener at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. The Los Angeles FC won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC team members stand on the field after receiving their championship rings prior to the start of an MLS season home opener between the Los Angeles FC and the Portland Timbers at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Kellyn Acosta, left defends against Portland Timbers defender Juan David Mosquera, right, during the first half of an MLS season home opener at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela, left, dribbles defended by Portland Timbers defender Zac McGraw, right, during the first half of an MLS season home opener at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Former Los Angeles FC player Gareth Bale, left, and Los Angeles FC Maxime Crépeau bring out the MLS Cup trophy prior to the start of an MLS season home opener against the Portland Timbers at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC defender Giorgio Chiellini, right, heads the ball defended by Portland Timbers forward Jarosław Niezgoda, left, during the first half of an MLS season home opener at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Soccer fans look on as a replica of the MLS Cup trophy stands behind them during the first half of an MLS season home opener between the Los Angeles FC and the Portland Timbers at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Soccer fans cheer prior to the start of an MLS season home opener between the Los Angeles FC and the Portland Timbers at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder José Cifuentes dribbles the ball against the Portland Timbers during the first half of an MLS season home opener at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC fans cheer after their team scores a goal against the Portland Timbers during the second half of an MLS season home opener at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. The Los Angeles FC won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga, center, looks to get past Portland Timbers defender Larrys Mabiala, left and defender Dario Župaric, right, during the second half of an MLS season home opener at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. The Los Angeles FC won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Ryan Hollingshead heads the ball defended by Portland Timbers forward Jarosław Niezgoda during the first half of an MLS season home opener at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC starters pose for a portrait prior to the start of an MLS season home opener against the Portland Timbers at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Championship banners are unveiled prior to the start of of an MLS season home opener between the Los Angeles FC and the Portland Timbers at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
A championship tifo is raised up prior to the start of an MLS season home opener between the Los Angeles FC and the Portland Timbers at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
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.
LAFC’s Steve Cherundolo coaching philosophy is more than a roll of the dice
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.
