Vancouver Whitecaps

Against the Western Conference's fourth-placed side in Minnesota, 12th-placed Sporting closed the first half in style, with three goals in the space of 15 minutes.

The first was courtesy of a friendly bounce, with a hard, low cross in the 31st minute being deflected by the Minnesota goalkeeper straight off the legs of centre-back Michael Boxall and into the back of the net for an own goal.

Johnny Russell then hit the post in the 41st minute, but was able to track down the rebound and dish one off for Erik Thommy in the box, who sidestepped a challenge before firing home Sporting's second goal.

Capping off a terrific first half, Ben Sweat whipped in a dangerous ball in the 45th minute for Agada to meet with his head, sending his side into the sheds leading 3-0.

Mender Garcia Torres was able to peg one back for Minnesota in the 57th minute, but Agada would put the game to bed with his second goal in the 81st, tapping in a smart low cross from Daniel Salloi.

Earlier in the day, in a battle between two of the Eastern Conference's top four teams, New York City won their local Hudson River Derby against New York Red Bulls 2-0 at Yankee Stadium.

The opening goal came just 50 seconds into the contest, when a corner was expertly flicked on by Santiago Rodriguez, giving defender Alexander Callens an easy close-range header.

City doubled their lead in the 23rd minute, and it was again the result of a well-worked corner, this time with Rodriguez on the receiving end of a floated ball that he was able to control and bring down before sliding it past the keeper.

It was a match bereft of chances in open play, as City finished with just 0.60 expected goals, while the Red Bulls had 0.71.

In a match with similarly few goal scoring opportunities, the top-ranked Philadelphia Union were the ones holding on for a point in their 0-0 draw away against non-playoff side Atlanta United.

Philadelphia could only muster 0.16 expected goals, while Atlanta United controlled 60 per cent of the possession and won the shot count 16-5, finishing with 1.30 expected goals.

Showing off some excellent finishing, Orlando City defied their 0.95 expected goals to hammer Toronto FC 4-0, netting two goals in each half.

The East's second-placed team, CF Montreal, were good enough to leave their away fixture against the New England Revolution with a 1-0 win, with Alistair Johnson finding the winner 72 minutes in.

Charlotte conceded goals in the third and 30th minutes to fall behind early against the Chicago Fire, but they rallied back and scored in the 68th and 76th to tie things, before stealing the points with a 96th-minute winner.

The league's top goalscorer Hany Mukhtar scored his 23rd of the season as he helped Nashville take a 1-1 draw on the road against Austin, while Cincinnati strengthened their playoff position with a 2-1 win at Real Salt Lake.

In the late window, the Vancouver Whitecaps rode two quick strikes in the first half to a 2-1 home win against the Seattle Sounders, while Chicharito was one of four Los Angeles Galaxy goal scorers in their 4-1 win over the Colorado Rapids, and FC Dallas secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw with 10 men against the San Jose Earthquakes.

The contest was stopped in the 63rd minute because of lightning in the Orlando area and after a lengthy delay it was the Whitecaps who took command.

Needing a two-goal win to leapfrog the Fire and progress, the Whitecaps took the lead in the 65th-minute when Yordy Reyna rounded goalkeeper Kenneth Kronholm to score.

Six minutes later substitute Cristian Dajome slotted under Kronholm after Reyna's clever ball on the turn.

CJ Sapong looked to have bundled home the goal that would have sent Chicago through after Alvaro Medran struck the crossbar, but his effort was ruled out for handball following a VAR review.

The Whitecaps will face either Toronto or Sporting Kansas City in the round of 16.

Former Juventus and Real Madrid forward Higuain along with brother Federico made history as the first time two brothers scored in the same game.

Last season's Supporters' Shield winners Philadelphia had taken a 54th minute lead through Jamiro Monteiro.

But Federico Higuain came off the bench 10 minutes later to devastating effect, getting the assist for Gonzalo's 73rd minute leveler from a set-piece.

Federico proceeded to head home the winner on 83 minutes and lift Inter Miami to their first win of the 2021 season, while Philadelphia are winless after two games.

Barco launches Atlanta rocket

Ezequiel Barco netted a spectacular goal as Atlanta United made a statement with a 3-1 home win over the Chicago Fire.

Barco's initial free-kick set-piece cannoned into the wall but he fired home the rebound emphatically to give his side the lead.

Chicago leveled through Serbian midfielder Luka Stojanovic straight after the break, but Atlanta re-claimed the lead after a 66th minute Johan Kappelhof own goal and Emerson Hyndman's 85th minute strike.

Last season's beaten MLS Cup finalists Seattle Sounders managed a tie away to LAFC with Australian full-back Brad Smith scoring a 54th minute equaliser.

Colombian midfielder Eduard Atuesta had given the hosts a second minute lead.

Christhian Paredes went from zero to hero after scoring an own goal before netting the winner as the Portland Timbers edged Houston Dynamo 2-1.

Paredes' 73rd minute winner came from a superb long ball by Bill Tuiloma which was headed into the Paraguayan's path by Felipe Mora.

Ochoa sparks fracas

Real Salt Lake goalkeeper David Ochoa, 20, sparked a post-match fracas after punting the ball into the Minnesota United home fans area, the Wonderwall, upon the final whistle after his side's 2-1 away win. He drew the ire of United coach Adrian Heath who said: "It's a no-no. He's got some edge on him for a kid who's not that good."

History-making Austin victory

Austin FC made history with their first-ever franchise goal in the MLS and their maiden MLS win, coming from behind to triumph 3-1 away to the Colorado Rapids.

Saturday's results:

New York City 5-0 FC Cincinnati
Nashville SC 2-2 CF Montreal
Toronto FC 2-2 Vancouver Whitecaps
San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 FC Dallas
Los Angeles FC 1-1 Seattle Sounders
New England Revolution 1-0 D.C. United
Real Salt Lake 2-1 Minnesota United 
Atlanta United 3-1 Chicago Fire
Inter Miami 2-1 Philadelphia Union
Austin FC 3-1 Colorado Rapids
Portland Timbers 2-1 Houston Dynamo

Red Bulls at LA

The Los Angeles Galaxy host the New York Red Bulls, who lost on the opening weekend, in Sunday's only match.

Busby Jr has denied the allegations.

The 52-year-old Busby was appointed Reggae Girlz head coach in January 2020, taking over from Hugh Menzies, who resigned his position over financial disagreements with the JFF.

“The JFF is aware of allegations surrounding National Women’s Head Coach Hubert Busby. The executive of the JFF will convene next Tuesday to discuss the matter with Mr Busby,” the JFF said in a tersely worded statement on Thursday.

The allegations against the Canadian-born former player emerged in a story published by the Guardian newspaper in England in which it is claimed that he made unwanted sexual advances to Malloree Enoch, who at the time, was seeking a job in the administration of the Whitecaps in September 2010.

According to the Guardian, Busby suggested that she could play for the club instead of working in the front office and plied her with “sports equipment as gifts, take her to restaurants in one-on-one situations, and ask her to stay with him alone in his hotel room while working in his role as Whitecaps coach.”

Enoch told the Guardian that on one of those occasions she spent three nights in his hotel room but said she made no sexual advances toward her during that time.

In another incident, Enoch said: “He insisted I stay (in his hotel room) because now it was late and when I agreed it was far too late to drive back. When we got back to the hotel he again didn’t have a room reserved for me. I had to stay in his room. This particular night there were two beds and I laid in my own bed and he made his way to my bed and at some point was standing over the top of me.

“He was on all fours fully on the bed. He was definitely aroused. He tried to kiss and touch me. The light was not on but I don’t think he had his shirt on. I had to negotiate to get him off the bed. I told him I wasn’t interested.

 “I think there was a lot of emotion. I was definitely scared. I had this dream to be a soccer player and I was trying to pursue something I had wanted to do since I was five and now I was put in a really shitty position. He was using this power because he had something that I wanted. I was very uncomfortable. I was resistant to it and he tried to pursue it and pursue it and then he got pissed off and went over to his own bed and went to sleep.”

She said she did not report the matter to the club because she was embarrassed and did not want to compromise being able to play for the club.

She was eventually signed by the Whitecaps.

However, at the end of 2011, the Guardian reported, the Whitecap players sent an email to club officials detailing a list of complaints concerning inappropriate behaviour by Busby and the coaching staff.

The club hired an ombudsman to interview the players and in October that year, the club sent an email to the players stating that “it was in the best interest of the club to make a change in the coaching staff for our women’s team programme.”

The email also told the players that it would be inappropriate for the players to comment on the matter publicly.

In a clash between two of the Western Conference's top-four sides, league-leading LAFC struck first as Jose Cifuentes broke the deadlock 17 minutes in with a header from the edge of the six-yard box.

It would be the only goal of the opening half, before the scoring barrage began with Galaxy's equaliser through Samuel Grandsir at the 55-minute mark.

Cifuentes again found himself on the end of a dangerous cross in the 70th minute, heading home his second goal, before teammate Cristian Arango made it 3-1 just two minutes later with his right-foot hit from outside the box.

Rayan Raveloson set up a thrilling finish when he trimmed the margin back to 3-2 in the 81st minute, heading home Victor Vazquez's cross, and Raveloson almost equalised with a chance in the 87th minute, but he could not find the back of the net.

According to expected goal data, Raveloson's miss in the 87th minute was the best chance of the entire game for either side (0.54 expected goals).

Meanwhile, it was one-way traffic at Philadelphia's Subaru Park as the Philadelphia Union hammered DC United 7-0.

Both Alejandro Bedoya and Julian Carranza netted braces in the first 37 minutes, before Mikael Uhre made it 5-0 heading into the half-time break.

Uhre was the Union's third player to bag his second goal when he made it 6-0 in the 59th minute, and after Carranza missed a golden opportunity for a hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 69th minute, he made it up for it with his third goal of the contest just three minutes later.

Minnesota United showed supreme finishing in Friday's last game, defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 despite neither side finishing with an expected goal.

Minnesota finished up on the expected goal count 0.91 to 0.74, but a late barrage saw them storm home after falling behind 1-0 in the 66th minute from substitute Lucas Cavallini's goal.

Their response was sharp, equalising five minutes later through Kemar Lawrence's left-foot hit from a tight angle, before Luis Amarilla put Minnesota ahead 2-1 with his long-range blast following a costly turnover in midfield.

Franco Fragapane's 88th-minute sealer ensured there would be no late twists as Minnesota held on for the result.

Vancouver could have clinched their post-season berth with victory as three points separated the two play-off chasing sides entering Tuesday's game.

Instead, the Whitecaps will need at least a point against Western Conference leaders Seattle Sounders on Decision Day on Sunday, while LAFC face a must-win fixture away to Colorado Rapids and hope other results go their way.

Vancouver's Cristian Dajome scored in the 14th minute to put the visitors in the box seat, rifling home after Brian White broke into space.

Mamadou Fall equalised in first-half stoppage time, tapping home at the far post, with the goal initially disallowed for offside but reversed upon video review.

Bob Bradley's LAFC, who won the Supporters' Shield in 2019, peppered the Vancouver goal chasing a winner, but Whitecaps goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau was unbeatable.

Vancouver are sixth in the west on 48 points – three ahead of ninth-placed LAFC, who are two points adrift of the seventh and final play-off position with one round remaining.

Ahead of Saturday's contest, Vancouver sit fourth in the West with 18 points from 10 games, with LAFC three points further back despite playing an additional match.

Vanni Sartini's hosts were in Canadian Championship action on Wednesday, beating Calgary 2-1 in the first leg of a quarter-final tie with a starting lineup containing five Canadian players. 

Sartini believes the experience of that match will serve his young players well, saying: "We want to do well in that competition and it fits with what we want to do, which is developing a lot of young players, guys who haven't played a lot for us.

"I'm really happy that we could play five of them, also because I think in this competition, if they have to give one per cent more to win, they will because it's their national competition."

LAFC, meanwhile, beat the Las Vegas Lights 3-1 to reach the last 16 of the U.S. Open Cup, a tournament they have never previously won.

Forward Kei Kamara scored his first LAFC goal in that match, and he hopes it will serve to kickstart his campaign.

"It was a battle but it's good for us to come here and get the win and move onto the next round," he said.

"Personally, it was nice to get a goal and wash that drought off, even though it was in the cup, to pick the team up and help us into the next round." 

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Los Angeles FC – Denis Bouanga 

Bouanga has scored seven goals in six career matches against the Whitecaps in all competitions, including scoring in all four MLS encounters with them (including playoffs). 

The only player to score in five straight MLS meetings with Vancouver is Raul Ruidiaz, who did so between 2020 and 2022.

Vancouver Whitecaps – Brian White

White has scored in each of the Whitecaps' last three away matches. Only three players in team history, including White himself in 2023, have scored in four straight on the road in regular-season play.

MATCH PREDICTION – LOS ANGELES FC WIN

LAFC have won four of their last six matches against Vancouver in all competitions (one draw, one defeat) with all four wins coming in the CONCACAF Champions Cup or MLS Cup Playoffs. 

In regular-season play, LAFC have won only one of their last eight against the Whitecaps, drawing three and losing four. However, they are favourites to improve on that record here.

Saturday's hosts are unbeaten in nine straight home matches (seven wins, two draws) dating back to the end of last season. LAFC have previously recorded three runs of 10 or more home matches without defeat in their history, and they will fancy their chances of repeating the trick.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Los Angeles FC – 56.8%

Vancouver Whitecaps – 18.5%

Draw – 24.7% 

McMaster, a Wake Forest forward, the 17^th pick in the draft, became the first player from Hillel Academy in Jamaica to be drafted in the MLS.

Minnesota acquired the 17^th pick from New York City FC. In return, they sent NYCFC US$50,000 in general-allocation money (GAM). There is a conditional 25K GAM to be paid if McMaster plays 25 games in the 2021 and 2022 seasons combined.

GAM is often used by MLS clubs to reduce the amount that a non-Designated Player costs against the salary cap down to the league minimum salary or reduce the amount that a Designated Player costs against the salary cap down to $150,000. GAM is also used to sign players new to MLS.

McMaster, who represented Jamaica at the U15 and U17 levels, played for Swallowfield FC and Cavalier SC in Jamaica before leaving for college in the United States.

Brown, 21, a former Kingston College defender was selected by the Vancouver Whitecaps as the 23^rd overall pick. The University of South Florida right-back ended up at Vancouver after they acquired the pick from Sporting FC.

Brown has represented Jamaica at the U20 and U23 levels and also played for Harbour View FC and Santos before departing for the United States.

The Earthquakes clinched top spot in the group thanks to Sunday's 2-0 victory over Chicago Fire in Orlando, Florida.

Chris Wondolowski added to his all-time leading MLS tally at Walt Disney World Resort, where Cristian Espinoza opened the scoring in the 56th minute.

After a goalless opening half, Espinoza was played into space by Earthquakes team-mate Jackson Yueill before firing past Fire goalkeeper Kenneth Kronholm.

Wondolowski then doubled the lead within seconds of his introduction – heading home Carlos Fierro's cross for the 37-year-old's 161st league goal.

The Fire, though, remain in the race to qualify for the knockout round.

Chicago could finish second behind San Jose if they beat Vancouver Whitecaps in their Group B finale.

The Sounders currently sit second on four points from their three matches – a point above the Fire with a plus-two goal difference and at least enough for one of the four best third-placed teams – after defeating the Whitecaps 3-0.

Nicolas Lodeiro, Jordan Morris and Raul Ruidiaz inspired the Sounders against the Whitecaps, who could still advance as one of the best third-placed teams with a big win against Chicago.

Jesus Medina, Valentin Castellanos and Maxi Moralez were on target for New York City, who defeated Toronto 3-1 in Orlando, Florida on Sunday.

Medina gave NYC, led by former Celtic boss Ronny Deila, the perfect start after just five minutes at Walt Disney Resort – firing a shot through the hands of Toronto goalkeeper Quentin Westberg.

New York City doubled their lead 10 minutes into the second half when Castellanos ran onto Moralez's no-look pass and beat Westberg with a powerful effort.

Moralez made it 3-0 with nine minutes remaining before Patrick Mullins pulled a goal back six minutes later after combining with Jozy Altidore.

Awaiting NYC in the quarter-finals are either Portland Timbers or FC Cincinnati.

Melia, meanwhile, produced some penalty heroics to lead Sporting KC past Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in a shoot-out.

After a goalless 90 minutes, Melia saved two spot-kicks as Gianluca Busio stepped up to convert the winning penalty.

No goalkeeper has saved more penalties – excluding shoot-outs – in MLS since the start of the 2015 season than Melia.

Sporting KC will face Philadelphia Union for a spot in the semi-finals.

George Campbell headed home the opener in the 25th minute for his first MLS goal and Atlanta benefitted from an own goal by Daryl Dike in the 38th. 

Ezequiel Barco ended any suspense by netting in the 72nd minute after taking a long ball and working his way laterally across the penalty area before firing home with his right foot.

The emphatic win leaves Atlanta level on points with D.C. United, who remain seventh in the Eastern Conference on goal differential.

In Western Conference play, Portland defeated Vancouver 1-0 thanks to a 66th-minute own goal by Ranko Veselinovic. 

Felipe Mora's low drive from the right side got past Vancouver goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau and appeared headed for the net, but it was Veselinovic who made sure it got there with a failed clearance.

Portland moved past Minnesota and into fifth in the conference with the victory, while Vancouver remained just outside play-off position, one point adrift of Real Salt Lake.

Former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker Chicharito endured a difficult and injury-plagued 2020 season, Mexico's all-time leading goalscorer netting just twice after joining the Galaxy.

But Chicharito kicked off his redemption season in style – his two-goal second half sinking David Beckham's Inter Miami in Sunday's season opener.

"I'm holding [back] my tears. I suffered the loss of my grandfather, I would love him to keep watching [me] scoring goals," Chicharito said. "I'm very touched because, like I told you, last year was very difficult.

"I miss him so much and these goals are for him, my kids, my whole family, my friends, everyone. I maintain patience, I keep grinding and thankfully things are coming around and hopefully, like I say, I just want to be a part of an unbelievable season and lift the trophy."

Trailing to Robbie Robinson's opening goal in first-half stoppage time, Chicharito equalised just past the hour mark in front of a sell-out crowd in Miami.

Former Juventus and Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain restored Inter Miami's lead in the 68th minute – just his second goal for the club since arriving in the United States.

It had ex-United utility and former England women's boss Neville dreaming of a dream start in Miami, where he replaced Diego Alonso as head coach ahead of the 2021 season.

But Chicharito levelled proceedings again with a trademark header 17 minutes from the end before Sacha Kljestan put the Galaxy in front in the 81st minute.

Elsewhere, reigning champions Columbus Crew drew 0-0 against Supporters' Shield holders Philadelphia Union, while Vancouver Whitecaps edged Portland Timbers 1-0.

The defeat means the Galaxy are winless in their past eight matches and while they dropped down to sixth in the Western Conference, their form means they could find themselves only a point ahead of the post-season chasing pack.

Former Manchester United forward Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez stung RSL goalkeeper David Ochoa's palms early, before Damir Kreilach scored his 11th goal of the season to put the hosts 1-0 on the stroke of half-time.

Ochoa denied Chicharito again in a 57th-minute fast break, before the latter equalised with 14 minutes remaining midweek.

But in the fifth of six stoppage-time minutes, Anderson Julio lashed in a wonderful volley from outside the box to claim the win for fifth-placed RSL and boost their play-off chances.

United States teenager Ricardo Pepi netted his 12th goal of the campaign as 10-man Dallas went down 3-1 to Western Conference contenders and second-placed Sporting Kansas City.

Daniel Salloi scored a double for Sporting KC, taking his season tally to 14, while Dallas had Bryan Acosta sent off.

Seattle Sounders stayed top of the Western Conference, ahead of Sporting KC, as Raul Ruidiaz scored a brace in a 3-1 win away to San Jose Earthquakes.

Ruidiaz opened the scoring in the 25th minute, before firing home from the spot three minutes prior to the break. The Peruvian has 16 MLS goals this season, behind only DC United's Ola Kamara with 17.

Dairon Asprilla scored the winner as Portland Timbers claimed a 2-1 victory at Los Angeles FC to remain fourth in the west.

Supporters' Shield leaders New England Revolution maintained their 14-point advantage atop the Eastern Conference with a 4-1 triumph away to Montreal, extending their unbeaten run to six games.

Nashville, second in the east, blew a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Orlando City, while DC United got past Minnesota United 3-1.

Atlanta United boosted their play-offs hopes with a 1-0 win over Inter Miami, who have lost three in a row, while Toronto beat FC Cincinnati 3-2.

New York City suffered a second straight loss, going down 2-0 to Chicago Fire, and Philadelphia Union could only manage a 1-1 draw at New York Red Bulls.

Colorado Rapids eased past Austin 3-0 and Houston Dynamo played out a goalless draw with Vancouver Whitecaps.

First-half goals from Tajon Buchanan, Emmanuel Boateng and Adam Buksa helped New England open up a 3-0 half-time lead and they never looked back.

Canada international Buchanan was critical, pouncing on a rebound to fire home the opener from close range, before dribbling in the box and providing the pass for Boateng's first-time effort.

Cincinnati pulled a goal back from record signing Brenner's 54th-minute strike but Buksa added a second on the hour, from Gustavo Bou's assist, to seal a comfortable win.

Revolution have now won four straight matches and are unbeaten in eight games. New England have scored a league-leading 44 goals this year and turned it on without injured star midfielder Carles Gil.

Benji Michel scored a 51st-minute winner as Orlando City snapped their three-game winless run with a 1-0 win over Chicago Fire to move up to second in the east.

Orlando were not helped when Nani was substituted on the half hour, but found a winner when Michel drove home after Tesho Akindele's steal.

Quinn Sullivan netted an 87th-minute equalizer to keep Philadelphia Union in touch with Orlando after a 1-1 home draw with Montreal.

Djordje Mihailovic had put Montreal ahead on the stroke of half-time before Sullivan's leveler which leaves Union two points behind Orlando.

Inter Miami continued their form resurgence with a 3-1 victory over Toronto, moving them up to 11th in the east and leaving the Canadians in last.

Mexican midfielder Rodolfo Pizarro netted a double while Robbie Robinson also scored as Inter claimed their third win in four games.

Damian Moreno scored a late winner as Atlanta United claimed their fourth consecutive win, edging DC United 2-1.

Houston Dynamo snapped their four-game losing run with 2-2 draw with Dallas in their Texan showdown, while Austin climbed off the foot of the Western Conference with a 3-1 home win over Portland Timbers.

Colorado Rapids claimed a third straight win, getting past Real Salt Lake 2-1 in the Rocky Mountain Cup while Vancouver came from behind to win 2-1 over LAFC.

After numerous delays, New York Red Bulls' derby with New York City was postponed with the pitch deemed unplayable after inclement weather as Hurricane Henri approached.

The Revolution raced to a three-goal lead but were forced to hold on in the final quarter of an hour after strikes from Patryk Klimala and Andres Reyes midweek.

Carles Gil provided the assist for all three Revolution goals, taking his season tally to an MLS-high 10, stabbing through to Canadian forward Tajon Buchanan for the 26th-minute opener.

Spanish midfielder Gil laid off for DeJuan Jones' 32nd-minute strike, before pumping the ball forward for Gustavo Bou to make it 3-0 six minutes into the second half before the Red Bulls rallied.

The win moved New England five points clear in the Eastern Conference, sitting ahead of Orlando City – who have a game in hand – and Philadelphia Union who are both on 18 points.

Jamiro Monteiro scored the only goal of the game as Philadelphia kept up their good form with a 1-0 victory over Columbus Crew.

Seattle Sounders remain unbeaten after Raul Ruidiaz's 88th-minute penalty clinched a 2-1 win against Real Salt Lake, extending their club-record unbeaten start to 10 matches.

Cristian Roldan had put Seattle ahead five minutes into the second half, reacting fastest to score from a rebound inside the box.

RSL levelled with 12 minutes to go, when they won a penalty which was converted by Slovakian Albert Rusnak.

Ruidiaz had the final say netting his eighth goal of the season with a cool Panenka finish from the spot for the Western Conference-leading Sounders.

New York City continued their rollercoaster run with a 1-0 triumph over Atlanta United via Ismael Tajouri's 69th-minute winner.

Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez got on the scoresheet before late drama as LA Galaxy won 2-1 at Vancouver Whitecaps.

Former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward Chicharito opened the scoring, sliding home in the 47th minute with Galaxy appearing destined to claim all three points before a 90th-minute equaliser from Janio Bikel.

There would be another late twist, when the Galaxy's Efrain Alvarez scored in the third minute of stoppage – his stunning strike finding the back of the net after hopeful ball into the box.

Mexico international Carlos Vela also netted along with providing an assist as Los Angeles FC won 2-0 over Dallas.

Elsewhere, Sporting Kansas City defeated Colorado Rapids 3-1, Portland Timbers and Houston Dynamo drew 2-2, Nashville outlasted Toronto 3-2 courtesy of a 92nd-minute winner, Cincinnati edged Chicago Fire 1-0, Minnesota United beat Austin 2-0, while 10-man Montreal and DC United played out a goalless stalemate.

At the helm of Montreal, Henry's Impact came from behind to beat the New England Revolution 2-1 on the opening day of the MLS season.

The Arsenal great's side had fallen behind after just 13 minutes at Stade Olympique, where Teal Bunbury volleyed in a Cristian Penilla cross.

However, Romell Quioto headed in from close range to bring Montreal level just eight minutes before half-time.

And the hosts found an 80th-minute winner as Maximiliano Urruti spectacularly lobbed stranded New England goalkeeper Matt Turner.

Hernandez made his LA Galaxy debut in a 1-1 draw away to the Houston Dynamo.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward played 90 minutes as Houston came from behind, Mauro Manotas cancelling out Cristian Pavon's opener.

Atlanta United spoiled Nashville SC's first MLS game with a 2-1 victory at Nissan Stadium.

Walker Zimmerman scored Nashville's first goal to cancel out Ezequiel Barco's opener, but Emerson Hyndman's 37th-minute strike proved to be the winner in front of a crowd of 59,069.

Elsewhere, Oswaldo Alanis' brilliant 95th-minute free-kick helped the San Jose Earthquakes hold Toronto to a 2-2 draw.

The Colorado Rapids recorded a 2-1 win over DC United, Dallas beat Philadelphia Union 2-0, Orlando City and Real Salt Lake played out a 0-0 draw and Sporting Kansas City overcame the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1.

Higuain converted an 81st-minute free-kick and it proved to be the winner as Inter Miami defeated New York Red Bulls 2-1 on Wednesday.

The former Argentina international, who joined David Beckham's Inter Miami from Serie A champions Juventus, missed a penalty on debut last month.

In his third appearance for Inter Miami, Higuain earned a free-kick with nine minutes remaining and stepped up to beat Red Bulls goalkeeper David Jensen with a powerful shot into the top corner.

Higuain's first MLS goal came via a direct free-kick after not scoring a set-piece in 428 matches during his time in the top five European leagues, per Opta.

"That's my role," Higuain said in a post-match news conference. "I've been playing in the best leagues in the world and that's my main function, to score."

The Red Bulls had led through Omir Fernandez's 53rd-minute opener, before Matias Pellegrini equalised two minutes later in New Jersey.

Inter Miami are 12th in the 14-team Eastern Conference with 14 points from 16 games, while the Red Bulls are six points better off in seventh.

The visiting Timbers defeated the struggling Galaxy in a wild nine-goal showdown in Carson, California.

Portland led 2-1 at half-time before scoring another four goals in a thrilling encounter at Dignity Health Sports Park.

Felipe Mora and Jeremy Ebobisse each finished with braces as the Timbers scored a joint-club record six goals for the second time in four matches, having not scored more than five times in any of their first 337 MLS matches, via Opta.

The Galaxy have lost five matches in a row to sit bottom of the Western Conference, while the Timbers are second and three points adrift of leaders Seattle Sounders – who edged Real Salt Lake 2-1.

Elsewhere, New York City eased past DC United 4-1, Eastern Conference leaders Toronto downed New England Revolution 1-0 and Philadelphia Union were too good for FC Cincinnati 3-0.

Dallas lost 2-0 to Houston Dynamo, Sporting Kansas City were 1-0 winners over Chicago Fire, San Jose Earthquakes beat nine-man Vancouver Whitecaps 3-0, Montreal Impact topped Columbus Crew 2-1, while Atlanta United and Orlando City played out a goalless draw.

The Colorado Rapids-Los Angeles FC clash was postponed after one new confirmed case of coronavirus among the Rapids staff.

Coming off a defeat to Los Angeles FC, Inter Miami went down to DC United 2-1 on Saturday.

Rodolfo Pizarro scored the first MLS goal in the club's history, sweeping in a Lewis Morgan cross to give them the lead in just the second minute.

However, the game turned early in the second half when, after Morgan thought he had doubled his side's lead, the visitors had the goal ruled out and Roman Torres sent off for a handball.

DC equalised through Yamil Asad's penalty in the 59th minute before finding what proved to be the winner just after the hour-mark.

Edison Flores hit the post with a free-kick and Frederic Brillant reacted quickest to fire in the rebound and lift DC to their first win of the season.

LA Galaxy are without a win through two games after suffering a 1-0 loss at home to the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Tosaint Ricketts' smart side-footed finish in the 74th minute was enough for the Whitecaps.

Joe Corona was then sent off for Galaxy, who were beaten despite David Bingham later saving a Lucas Cavallini penalty.

Without the injured Josef Martinez, Atlanta United made it two wins from two by beating Cincinnati 2-1.

There are three teams with perfect records in the Western Conference in Sporting Kansas City, Minnesota United and the Colorado Rapids.

Sporting KC thrashed Houston Dynamo 4-0, Ike Opara netted a brace in Minnesota's 5-2 win over the San Jose Earthquakes and Colorado edged Orlando City 2-1 thanks to Drew Moor's late winner.

New England Revolution and Chicago Fire drew 1-1, Real Salt Lake came from behind to hold the New York Red Bulls to a 1-1 draw and Maximiliano Urruti's brace helped Montreal Impact draw 2-2 with Dallas.

Ifunanyachi Achara's goal on his MLS debut saw Toronto overcome New York City 1-0, while the Seattle Sounders drew 1-1 against Columbus Crew.

In their first season in MLS, Inter Miami reached the play-offs after a 2-1 win over FC Cincinnati on Decision Day.

Mikey Ambrose's 25-yard strike in the 19th minute gave Diego Alonso's side the lead before Leandro Gonzalez Pirez doubled the advantage with a header.

Joe Gyau's brilliant goal halved the deficit for Cincinnati in the 66th minute, but Inter Miami held on despite Andres Reyes' red card.

Philadelphia won the first trophy in their history, securing the Supporters' Shield thanks to a 2-0 win over New England Revolution.

Sergio Santos and Cory Burke scored either side of half-time for the Union, who finished three points clear of Toronto atop the Eastern Conference.

Philadelphia won all nine of their home matches during the 2020 MLS season, tied for the second-longest single-season home winning streak in league history.

Toronto were chasing Philadelphia but fell to a 2-1 loss to New York Red Bulls.

Montreal Impact also secured a play-off place thanks to a come-from-behind 3-2 win over DC United.

DC led twice as Donovan Pines and Ola Kamara had goals cancelled out by Bojan Krkic and Victor Wanyama respectively.

But Romell Quioto tapped in an 88th-minute winner for the Impact, who had Samuel Piette sent off in additional time.

New York City edged Chicago Fire 4-3 in a thriller, Columbus Crew overcame Atlanta United 2-1 and Nashville beat Orlando City 3-2.

Sporting Kansas City wrapped up the top seed in the Western Conference after a 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake.

It meant the Seattle Sounders' 4-1 victory against San Jose Earthquakes mattered little as they finished second.

Carlos Vela scored in Los Angeles FC's 1-1 draw with Portland Timbers, Minnesota United cruised past Dallas 3-0, Colorado Rapids beat Houston Dynamo 2-1 and Vancouver Whitecaps handed a 10-man LA Galaxy a 3-0 loss.

After four losses in five games following the MLS is Back Tournament, LAFC responded with a 4-2 win over Portland Timbers.

LAFC found themselves behind at Banc of California Stadium, where Eryk Williamson opened the scoring in the 25th minute.

But a strong finish to the first half helped the hosts take a lead into the break.

Mark-Anthony Kaye tapped in the equaliser before Diego Rossi put LAFC ahead after a pass from Brian Rodriguez four minutes prior to half-time.

Bradley Wright-Phillips then added to the hosts' lead in first-half additional time, tapping in a Francisco Ginella cross.

But the frantic finish to the half saw Portland – winners of the MLS is Back Tournament last month – pull a goal back through Jeremy Ebobisse's header.

LAFC managed to hold firm in the second half before Danny Musovski tucked away the sealer in the 95th minute.

In a congested Western Conference, LAFC climbed into fourth, above rivals LA Galaxy, who drew 0-0 with San Jose Earthquakes.

Sporting Kansas City are two points clear at the top after a 1-0 win over Minnesota United.

Johnny Russell scored the winner in the 80th minute after getting on the end of a long pass from Graham Zusi.

Sporting are the only team to score in every regular-season match in 2020 and have netted in their first 11 matches of an MLS campaign for the first time since 2007, according to Opta.

In the day's other game, Thierry Henry's Montreal Impact enjoyed a 4-2 win over Vancouver Whitecaps as both teams finished with 10 men.