Carson (California), Mar 11: Javier Morales and Fabian Espindola late in the second half to give Real Salt Lake a 3-1 win over defending Major League Soccer champion Los Angeles Galaxy in the season opener Saturday.
David Beckham's dazzling pass set up Edson Buddle's headed goal for the Galaxy in the 71st minute, but an own goal by Sean Franklin moments later leveled it for Salt Lake, which lost to Los Angeles last season in the Western Conference final.
Morales then capitalized on a miscommunication in Los Angeles' defense to score the winner in the 80th minute, and Espindola sealed the win five minutes later.
Coach Bruce Arena blamed himself for fielding a lineup of tired players after Los Angeles' difficult CONCACAF Champions League match in Toronto on Wednesday.
"I think we all felt good going into the game, but the fatigue of playing a hard game on turf and then traveling back took its toll," Beckham said. "I thought we had quite a few chances to win it, but there were a few mistakes. We'll be OK."
In other MLS opening matches, the Vancouver Whitecaps beat newcomer Montreal Impact 2-1, the Colorado Rapids downed Columbus Crew 2-0, Sporting Kansas City beat D.C. United 1-0, and the San Jose Earthquakes edged New England Revolution 1-0.
Sebastien Le Toux of France and Camilo scored either side of halftime as Vancouver spoiled Montreal's MLS debut in front of a sellout home 21,000.
The Whitecaps, opening their second season in the league after finishing last overall last year, got the strong start they were looking for under new coach Martin Rennie.
Le Toux, who had 25 goals and 20 assists in the past two seasons with Philadelphia, opened the scoring in the fourth minute and Camilo scored 9 minutes into the second half.
Drew Moor scored in the 44th minute at Commerce, Colorado to give first-year Rapids coach Oscar Pareja a winning start.
Quincy Amarikwa added a goal in the 89th minute to seal the win.
Kansas City substitute C.J. Sapong scored from a header in stoppage time in the win at D.C. United.
Kansas City dominated most of the game before Sapong nodded in the winner off Graham Zusi's corner.
At Santa Clara, California, Chris Wondolowski scored in the 15th minute to help San Jose beat New England.
It was the Earthquakes' first win in a home opener since entering the league in 2008.
Shea Salinas set up Wondolowski's goal by jumping on an errant pass from Revolution captain Sharlie Joseph inside New England's half of the field. Salinas quickly slipped a pass to Wondolowski. The U.S. international took one touch and fired a shot past goalkeeper Matt Reis from just outside the penalty box.
