Photo Credit: Ray Acevedo (Chicharito); Jayne Kamin-Oncea (Carlos Vela)-USA TODAY Sports
From coast to coast, the stars shined on opening weekend with some of the biggest names in MLS putting up show-stopping performances.
- Carlos Vela (LAFC): With a hat trick straight out of the gates, three just might be the lucky number for a player showing more than glimmers of his 2019 MVP campaign that three seasons ago kicked off with three goals in his first three games.
- Javier “Chicharito” Hernández (LA Galaxy): Set to take on Charlotte FC backed by nearly 75,000 fans this week, the Mexican star who finished second in the 2021 Audi MLS Golden Boot race netted the Galaxy’s 90th-minute game winner in Week 1 to defeat reigning MLS Cup champions NYCFC. With five goals in his first two games last season, Chicharito will be looking to top his 17 goals from 2021 and lead the Galaxy back to their storied form.
- Dom Dwyer (Atlanta United): Finding a return to grace in his first outing for Atlanta United, Dwyer was a super sub who just might have earned himself a starting spot. His goal in first half stoppage time marked the first time since 2018, and only second time in his career, that the forward has scored in his first appearance of the season.
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