The spotlight before kickoff centered squarely on newly acquired LA Galaxy striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a man whose persona dwarfs his 6-foot-5 frame, a man whose legend blankets the sport, a man who likens himself to a lion.
But in Sunday's showdown at StubHub Center, a Sporting Kansas City side led by Tim Melia and Johnny Russell roared the loudest, taking the bite out of LA Galaxy in a resolute 2-0 victory televised before a national audience on FS1.
Ibrahimovic, the 36-year-old superstar who joined LA last month and set the MLS stage alight with his heroic debut on March 31, saw three venomous strikes saved by the brilliant Melia, who delivered one of his best career performances between the posts.