On This Day... LA Galaxy defeats defending champs NYFC in 2022 MLS Season Opener | OneFootball

Unfortunately, the Los Angeles Galaxy did not open up their season the way that they, as well as many others, expected. A 2-0 loss at home to newcomers San Diego FC was shocking.

It's not the first time a defending MLS champion dropped a season opener with the Los Angeles Galaxy involved.

On this day three years ago, the LA Galaxy were on the better side of history. The 2021 MLS Cup winners, NYFC, traveled to Carson, California for the season opener.

Chicharito's (Hernandez) goal late in the second half gave the LA Galaxy three points in the MLS Western Conference Standings to open up the 2022 regular season. The assist was credited to his teammate Raheem Edwards. NYFC lost 1-0 to begin their title defense that year.

How did the Los Angeles Galaxy finish the 2022 MLS season?

That season, the LA Galaxy finished fourth in the Western Conference. They limped through the month of March (1-0-2) following their home-opener victory.

The Galaxy then followed that up by going unbeaten in seven of the next 10 games. In their final six games, Chicarito and company finished 4-1-1 while scoring 14 goals during that stretch.

Eventually, the Los Angeles Galaxy were ousted by their rival, LAFC. It would be them and not the Galaxy who won the 2022 MLS Cup.

NYFC got a small measure of revenge since. The first preseason game between the LA Galaxy and NYFC did not end well for the six-time MLS Cup winners.