Patrick Vieira oversaw a thrilling 4-3 victory at the Chicago Fire in his first MLS match as New York City coach.
Vieira swapped parent club Manchester City for New York in the offseason, replacing Jason Kreis after the club missed the playoffs last season despite boasting David Villa, Andrea Pirlo and Frank Lampard. And the former France international's reign got off to the perfect start in their season opener on Sunday, thanks to a three-goal first half at Toyota Park in Chicago.
Playing in the absence of an underdone Lampard, New York City opened the scoring in the 10th minute when midfielder Thomas McNamara curled a shot in off the post. The Fire responded through Razvan Cocis nine minutes later, though New York City forward Tony Taylor restored the visitor's lead just shy of the half-hour mark before Khiry Shelton made it 3-1 in the 36th minute.
Kennedy Igboananike reduced the deficit four minutes into the second half, only for Mikkel Diskerud to re-establish New York City's two-goal buffer after 63 minutes. The Fire converted a 72nd-minute penalty via David Accam but NYCFC held on in the Eastern Conference.
A star-studded LA Galaxy side rallied to thrash DC United 4-1 as Ashley Cole and Nigel de Jong made their league bows.
Last season's Supporters' Shield winners New York Red Bulls were accounted for 2-0 by Toronto FC. Reigning MVP Sebastian Giovinco broke the deadlock from the spot with eight minutes remaining and Marco Delgado sealed the points in the 90th minute.
The defending champion, the Portland Timbers, continued where they left off following a 2-1 win at home to Columbus Crew.
In a rematch of the 2015 MLS Cup final, the Timbers reigned supreme after Diego Valeri and Fanendo Adi scored either side of Federico Higuain's 68th-minute overhead kick.
In other results, Ignacio Piatti's brace inspired Montreal Impact to a 3-2 win at Vancouver Whitecaps in the absence of Didier Drogba.
