LOS ANGELES (AP) - Laurent Ciman scored on a free kick in the third minute of stoppage time, and Los Angeles FC opened its $350 million Banc of California Stadium with a stunning 1-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders on Sunday night.
Tyler Miller made three saves to earn the shutout for LAFC, but the Major League Soccer expansion team seemed headed to its first scoreless draw in the first home game in franchise history before its Belgian captain lined up a free kick in the final minute of play.
Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei crouched to make the save after Ciman’s kick cleared the wall, but Frei simply couldn’t hang on. The ball hit the net and electrified the sellout crowd of 22,000. Those mostly black-and-gold-clad fans serenaded LAFC throughout the first game in its beautiful new home.
With an exciting young lineup watched by an ownership group including Magic Johnson and Will Ferrell, LAFC failed on numerous second-half scoring chances before it managed to christen its sparkling arena with a memorable victory. The players gathered in front of the North End supporters’ section afterward, singing and dancing while black-and-gold smoke poured out of the joyous stands.
ORLANDO CITY 2, RAPIDS 1
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (AP) - Yoshimar Yotun scored on a penalty kick and Cristian Higuita added his first goal since 2016 and Orlando City beat Colorado for its franchise-record tying fifth consecutive win.
Yotun converted from the spot in the 77th minute to give Orlando City a 2-1 lead after he drew a foul conceded by Dillon Serna in the penalty area.
Cristian Higuita tied it for Orlando City (4-2-1) in the 52nd minute.
Dominique Badji opened the scoring for Colorado (2-2-2) in the 26th minute.
NYCFC 3, FC DALLAS 1
NEW YORK (AP) - David Villa scored two goals to help New York City FC beat FC Dallas.
Villa converted from the spot to give NYCFC (6-1-2) a 2-1 lead in the 36th minute after Reto Ziegler was called - after video review - for a hand ball in the area.
Jesus Medina also scored for New York City. Santiago Mosquera scored for FC Dallas (3-1-3).
Please read our comment policy before commenting.