Kick Off: MLS Opening Weekend recap | LAFC win inaugural match

Mauro Manotas -- Celebration -- Houston Dynamo

Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:


Crew SC school the champs

In the opening match of the 2018 MLS season, Columbus scored a big 2-0 road win over treble holders Toronto FC. Federico Higuain fired the opener and Gyasi Zardes opened his Crew SC account to seal the victory. RECAP | WIEBE ANALYSIS


During the postgame review, Bobby Warshaw noted that Columbus may have found the right way to neutralize the champs. WATCH VIDEO


LAFC upset Seattle in inaugural match

The league's newest club, LAFC, celebrated a 1-0 victory away to two-time defending Western champs Seattle on Sunday afternoon. Diego Rossi's early strike stood up in large part thanks to seven big saves from Tyler Miller. RECAP | INSTANT ANALYSIS


Despite a historic win for the franchise, LAFC boss Bob Bradley knows the team is a work in progress with some issues still to be ironed out. READ MORE


Dynamo stroll past Atlanta


Houston got their season off to a roaring start by dominating Atlanta United for a 4-0 home win on Saturday night. Four different Dynamo men scored, with Andrew Wenger notching a goal and an assist. RECAP


The Instant Analysis gang detailed how the Dynamo turned the tables on Atlanta United, giving them a heaping taste of their own medicine. WATCH VIDEO


Galaxy double up Portland


The LA Galaxy wasted no time putting a rough 2017 campaign in the past with a 2-1 opening-day victory against visiting Portland on Sunday night. Ola Kamara and Romain Alessandrini found the net to help end the Timbers' three-game unbeaten streak at StubHub Center. RECAP


The Galaxy were delighted by the debut outing of Kamara, who provided the consistent threat up front that they sorely lacked last season. READ MORE


NYCFC raid SKC for points


Debutant Jesus Medina starred with a goal and an assist as New York City FC earned a 2-0 road victory over Sporting KC on Sunday. The result kept the Missouri Azzurri scoreless in their last 325 minutes of league play at home. RECAP


Among the notes in his look back at the weekend's action, Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle pointed out how Sporting KC played against their strengths by whipping a couple dozen crosses into the box. READ MORE


Davies, Kamara lift Whitecaps


The Vancouver Whitecaps started off the season right with a 2-1 triumph over Canadian rivals Montreal on Sunday. The result stretched their BC Place unbeaten run to 10 games. RECAP


Aided by new mentor Kamara, young buck Davies stole the show by banging home his first MLS goal to go with the game-winning assist. READ MORE


10-man Lions rally for share

Orlando City weathered a conceded spot kick and PC's first half red card to post a 1-1 home draw against D.C. United on Saturday. The visitors had taken the lead on Yamil Asad's first goal for his new employers. RECAP | MUST-SEE MOMENT


Despite being down a man for 49 minutes, the Lions were able to gain the share thanks to a debut goal off the bench from Stefano Pinho. READ MORE


Quakes outgun Minnesota in opener


Danny Hoesen bagged a brace to lead San Jose to a 3-2 win over Saturday night guests Minnesota United. The victors also got a goal and two assists from Vako Qazaishvili. RECAP


With a roster overhaul now a year in for GM Jesse Fioranelli, Hoesen and Vako's offense could unlock a new era for the Bay Area denizens. READ MORE


Philly blanks nine-man Revs


The Philadelphia Union got off to a winning start on Saturday, recording a 2-0 victory over visiting New England. Anthony Fontana scored his first MLS goal to break the ice and CJ Sapong added the insurance tally. RECAP


A former member of both teams, Charlie Davies joined the Instant Analysis crew to explain how the Revs were done in by Philadelphia's Homegrown starters. WATCH VIDEO


Late own goal ties up FC Dallas, RSL


Home side FC Dallas were rescued by a late Marcelo Silva own goal in Saturday's 1-all draw with Western rivals Real Salt Lake. The Rio Tinto bunch led the game for a full hour thanks to Joao Plata's 26th minute opener. RECAP


Following the contest, local blog Big D Soccer outlined a few lessons to be learned for FC Dallas. READ MORE


Exports: Johansson nets late leveler


On Friday night, Werder Bremen forward Aron Johannsson bagged his first league goal in nearly 18 months by striking for the late equalizer in a 2-2 draw at Borussia Mönchengladbach. WATCH VIDEO