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MLS round-up: LA Galaxy start with 4-1 win, while Orlando snatch late draw

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Robbie Keane on target as LA Galaxy began their season with 4-1 win over D.C. United

Los Angeles Galaxy started their MLS campaign with a 4-1 victory over DC United on Sunday.

The Galaxy, whose starting line-up featured former Premier League stalwarts Steven Gerrard, Ashley Cole, Nigel de Jong and Robbie Keane, suffered an early setback when United took the lead through Lamar Neagle after just five minutes.

Los Angeles Galaxy celebrate after Keane scored on a penalty kick
Image: LA Galaxy players celebrate after Keane scored from the penalty spot

However, the five-time MLS Cup champions staged a second half comeback and drew level through defender Daniel Steres in the 54th minute.

Mike Magee put Galaxy ahead 10 minutes later, before he won a penalty which was converted by skipper Robbie Keane in the 83rd minute.

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Magee added his second of the match to complete the scoring, heading home Gerrard's free-kick three minutes from time.

Champions the Portland Timbers defeated the Columbus Crew 2-1 in a rematch of last season's MLS Cup final.

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Reigning champions Portland Timbers began the defence of their title with a 2-1 victory over Columbus Crew

Portland midfielder Diego Valeri opened the scoring in the 23rd minute before the Crew equalised through a spectacular bicycle kick from Federeico Higuain, the 31-year-old elder brother of Argentina and Napoli star Gonzalo.

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But the defending champions sealed victory 11 minutes later thanks to Nigerian forward Fanendo Adi's strike.

Liam Ridgewell #24 of Portland Timbers has some words with the side judge during the second half of the game against the Columbus C
Image: Liam Ridgewell and the Portland Timbers got their campaign off to a winning start

Orlando City produced a remarkable injury time fightback to snatch a 2-2 draw against Real Salt Lake in front of 60,147 fans at the Citrus Bowl.

Salt Lake looked to be heading for a comfortable victory after Joao Plata struck a 26th minute penalty and added a second midway through the second half.

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 06:  Teammates celebrate with Adrian Winter #32 of Orlando City SC after his game tying goal in overtime during a MLS soccer match betw
Image: Orlando celebrate after Adrian Winter 's injury-time goal snatched a draw

But Canadian striker Cyle Larin gave Orlando a lifeline after pulling a goal back in the fourth minute of time added on and then moments later Adrian Winter bundled an equaliser as the home side snatched a draw.

Meanwhile, New England's Daigo Kobayashi scored deep into injury time to secure a 3-3 draw with Houston Dynamo, while FC Dallas beat Philadelphia Union 2-0 with goals from Fabian Castillo and Maximiliano Urruti.

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A seven-goal thriller kicked off the new MLS season with Chicago Fire being defeated 4-3 by New York City FC.

In San Jose, Chris Wondolowski's header in the opening minute of the second half gave the San Jose Earthquakes a 1-0 win over the Colorado Rapids, and Ignacio Piatti scored twice as visiting Montreal beat Vancouver 3-2.

Sporting Kansas City earned a 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders thanks to Nuno Coelho's goal in the 73rd minute.

In other games, the New York Red Bulls went down 2-0 at home to Toronto FC after a late penalty from Sebastian Giovinco and a stoppage time goal from Marky Delgado, while Patrick Vieira's managerial reign got off to a winning start as New York City FC opened their campaign with a 4-3 victory at the Chicago Fire

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A seven-goal thriller kicked off the new MLS season with Chicago Fire being defeated 4-3 by New York City FC.

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