MLS: Seattle Sounders 0 LA Galaxy 1

The Los Angeles Galaxy got their Major League Soccer campaign off to a winning start with a 1-0 win on the road over Seattle on Tuesday.

The winners of last season’s MLS Supporters’ Shield looked out of sorts for most of the first-half, but the Galaxy took the lead 12 minutes after the interval through a goal from Brazilian midfielder Juninho.

Seattle midfielder Erik Friberg’s slack pass was picked up by the Galaxy’s Todd Dunivant, who laid the ball off for Juninho, whose swerving shot was too strong for Sounders goalkeeper Kasey Keller to keep out.

Seattle could have levelled in on the 72-minute mark when striker O’Brian White found himself on the end of a cross from Steve Zakuani, but his shot came off the woodwork meaning Los Angeles claimed all three points from the season curtain-raiser.

England star David Beckham played all 90 minutes for the Galaxy in what is expected to be his last season with the club, but exerted little influence on the match and was booked for a robust challenge in second-half stoppage time.