Last Updated on February 26, 2024 10:55 am by Erwin Noguera
The wait to see Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba with Inter Miami is over and in the debut of the new MLS season, the Florida team got a concise victory against Real Salt Lake.
Neither Messi nor Suarez scored, but they were important with assists.
Meanwhile, Columbus Crew star Juan Camilo ‘El Cucho’ Hernández was vital in beating Atlanta United, while league finalists Los Angeles FC got rid of a tough opponent like Seattle Sounders.
Cincinnati did not take advantage of its home status and could only draw with Toronto, which wanted to stop being the Cinderella.
MLS Matchday 1 – Games
Inter Miami 2-0 Real Salt Lake
Portland Timbers 4-1 Colorado Rapids
Austin 1-2 Minnesota United
FC Dallas 2-1 San Jose Earthquakes
Houston Dynamo 1-1 Sporting Kansas City
St. Louis City 1-1 Real Salt Lake
Charlotte 1-0 New York City
DC United 3-1 New England Revolution
Orlando City 0-0 CF Montreal
Philadelphia Union 2-2 Chicago Fire
Los Angeles FC 2-1 Seattle Sounders
Columbus Crew 1-0 Atlanta United
Cincinnati 0-0 Toronto
Nashville 0-0 New York Red Bulls
MLS Matchday 1 – Inter Miami 2-0 Real Salt Lake
When and Where?
Wednesday, February 21, 8:00 pm ET at the DRV PNK Stadium
Moneyline odds:
Inter 1.573
Real Salt Lake 4.985
Draw Offs:
4.345
Where Can I Watch?
MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
The most anticipated team in MLS was Inter Miami, and in their debut they delivered, beating Real Salt Lake 2-0 at home.
Luis Suárez made his debut, Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba played, but the goals came from Robert Taylor (39′), scoring with a cross-shot after a pass from Messi; and the second was from Diego Gómez at 83′, taking advantage of an assist in the area from the Uruguayan Suárez.
The three points were a reality for the team most obliged to become champions in the United States.
MLS Matchday 1 – Columbus Crew 1-0 Atlanta United
When and Where?
Saturday, February 24, 2:00 pm ET at the Lower.com Field
Moneyline odds:
Columbus Crew 1.563
Atlanta Utd. 4.89
Draw Offs:
4.49
Where Can I Watch?
MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
The reigning MLS champions, Columbus Crew, did not disappoint in their season opener, beating Atlanta United 1-0 at home.
As it could not be otherwise, the great figure of this team, Juan Camilo ‘El Cucho’ Hernandez, was in charge of scoring, as in the 27th minute, he appeared at the far post to send the ball inside the net. The Colombian could have increased the score, but a penalty he took in the 54th minute was saved by goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
Last season, the striker scored 21 goals and dished out eight assists.
MLS Matchday 1 – Los Angeles FC 2-1 Seattle Sounders
When and Where?
Saturday, February 24, 4:30 pm ET at the BMO Stadium
Moneyline odds:
Los Angeles FC 1.738
Seattle Sounders 4.605
Draw Offs:
3.635
Where Can I Watch?
MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
If the champion started on the right foot, the last finalist, Los Angeles FC, did not lag and defeated Seattle Sounders 2-1 in front of their home fans.
The home team scored two great goals. Before the end of the first half, Timothy Tillman scored the first with a volley after a cross from Mexican debutant Omar Campos. Mateusz Bogusz scored the second with a shot from the edge of the box that went into the corner (55′). The Sounders’ goal came from the penalty spot through Argentine Pedro De la Vega, another of the young players who arrived to the MLS this season.
Also noteworthy was Hugo Lloris, as the goalkeeper was one of the stars of the match, saving six shots from the rivals.
Los Angeles FC has seven matches without losing against this opponent.
MLS Matchday 1 – Cincinnati 0-0 Toronto FC
When and Where?
Sunday, February 25, 2:30 pm ET at the TQL Stadium
Moneyline odds:
Cincinnati 1.333
Toronto FC 8.0
Draw Offs:
5.31
Where Can I Watch?
MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Trying to get revenge after deflating at the most important moment last season, Cincinnati FC started the new year competitively at home but was held 0-0 by Toronto.
The home side tried much harder than their opponents, but were unable to overcome Sean Johnson’s resistance, and will certainly need to improve in that area.
For the Canadians, this point could mean hope for the campaign, remembering that in 2023, they were the worst team in MLS despite having international stars such as Italians Lorenzo Insigne and Fernando Bernardeschi, who will hope to have their revenge this year.
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