Columbus, rumored during the offseason to soon leave Ohio for Austin, Texas, ruined Toronto FC fans’ evening by bursting into BMO Field and upsetting the defending champions, 2-0. The Crew scored goals one minute before and one minute after halftime. The first was a half-volley struck by Federico Higuain, and the second a first-touch shot at the near post by Gyasi Zardes.
It was a bad night all around for 2017 conference championship winners. The Seattle Sounders, who lost to Toronto 2-0 in the MLS Cup last season, fell to LAFC Sunday in the expansion team’s debut. Diego Rossi scored in the 11th minute at Century Link field to lead LAFC to its first ever victory.