On this day... The Los Angeles Galaxy win 2002 MLS season opener vs. DC United | OneFootball

While the season opener for the LA Galaxy in 2025 did not go as planned, the one in 2002 did. Another one of the original teams with a decorated history in MLS played the LA Galaxy in the first game of the regular season 23 years ago.

These two teams were rivals during the first few years that Major League Soccer began. The LA Galaxy lost to DC United in the first ever MLS Cup on October 20th, 1996.

The result was the same when they faced off again in the 1999 MLS Cup in mid-November. At that point, DC United won their third title in the first four years of the league. The LA Galaxy were the runner up for a second time.

How did the season opener in 2002 go down?

Neither team scored in the first half. Matt Reis was in goal for the Los Angeles Galaxy and Nick Rimando was the starting keeper for DC United.

Both teams were issued two yellow cards a piece during the first half. DC United's Bobby Convoy was handed a red card at the 40th minute. He was disqualified from the remainder of the contest.

Ali Curtis, one of the strikers for DC United, broke the scoreless game. His goal at the 76th minute was assisted by midfielder Santino Quaranta.

Less than ten minutes later, the LA Galaxy responded. Carlos Ruiz scored the first goal of the 2002 MLS season for his team. Defender Ezra Hendrickson was credited with the assist on the score.

DC's Rimando was handed the team's fourth yellow card at the third minute of stoppage time in the second half. After regulation, the score remained 1-1.

Ruiz's second goal of the game sealed the victory for the Los Angeles Galaxy. The LA Galaxy lost the rematch against DC United in late June that same season.

The 2002 MLS Cup winners would go 3-2-1 in their next six games after winning the season opener. After losing in the 2001 MLS Cup (for a third time), the Los Angeles Galaxy finished the 2002 season with a record of 16-3-9 (51 points).