MLS roundup: Inter Miami lose to LA Galaxy, Montreal win six-goal thriller

The eagerly anticipated 2021 Major League Soccer season is finally underway, with plenty of thrills, spills and goals on show during a frenetic opening weekend.

From an early goal of the season contender to a strong miss of the season contender, MLS' opening offering really did throw everything at us. Here's 90min's roundup of the action in both the Eastern and Western Conferences.

Eastern Conference

David Beckham's Inter Miami disappointingly lost their opening game of the season, as Javier Hernandez came back to haunt former Manchester United teammate Phil Neville with a brace in a 3-2LA Galaxy win.

Miami led twice during the game thanks to goals from Robbie Robinson and Gonzalo Higuain, and looked on course to pick up maximum points with less than 20 minutes ago. But after Hernandez, known affectionately as 'Chicharito' struck his second goal, Sacha Kljestan was on hand to fire home Galaxy's winner with nine minutes of the game remaining.

Elsewhere, D.C. United came from behind to defeat New York City 2-1 at the Audi Field, fighting back after Valentin Castellanos had put the away team in front. Goals from Brendan Hines-Ike and Russell Canouse turned the game on its head and despite their best efforts, Ronny Deila's side were unable to come up with a response.

New England Revolution recovered from two goals down to earn a point in a highly competitive 2-2 draw at Chicago Fire, but the game of the weekend came between CF Montreal and Toronto FC - who played out an entertaining six-goal thriller.

It was Thierry Henry's former side who emerged 4-2 victors, thanks to goals from Mason Toye, Romell Quioto, Victor Wanyama - formerly of Tottenham and Southampton - and Djordje Mihailovic.

Nashville and Cincinnati played out a 2-2 draw at the LP Field, and there were no goals between Columbus Crew and Philadelphia Union nor Orlando City and Atlanta United.

The New York Red Bulls, meanwhile, suffered a 2-1 defeat in their season opener despite taking the lead against Sporting Kansas City. Caden Clark grabbed the Bulls' goal, but two goals in a minute allowed the Wizards to pick up all three points.

Western Conference

The best of the Western Conference action came in Seattle, as they Sounders started their season in perfect fashion with a 4-0 win over Minnesota United.

Raul Ruidiaz starred for the hosts and his two goals were sandwiched between goals from Joao Paulo and Fredy Montero.

Elsewhere, FC Dallas and the Colorado Rapids played out a 0-0 draw, while Los Angeles FC defeated MLS debutants Austin FC 2-0 in front of a crowd of just under 5,000 at the Banc of California Stadium.

Houston Dynamo held their nerve to earn all three points against San Jose Earthquakes, claiming a 2-1 win despite Paul Marie's goal 15 minutes from time, while Vancouver Whitecaps earned a narrow 1-0 victory over Portland Timbers thanks to Lucas Cavallini's second half goal.

Results:

Houston Dynamo 2-1 San Jose

CF Montreal 4-2 Toronto FC

LAFC 2-0 Austin

Seattle Sounders 4-0 Minnesota

Orlando City 0-0 Atlanta United

NY Red Bulls 1-2 Sporting KC

D.C. United 2-1 NYC FC

Nashville 2-2 Cincinnati

Columbus 0-0 Philadelphia

FC Dallas 0-0 Colorado

Chicago 2-2 New England

Inter Miami 2-3 LA Galaxy

Vancouver 1-0 Portland