Soccer·ROUNDUP

D.C. United rallies with 2 late goals to defeat Toronto FC in MLS season opener

Substitute Theodore Ku-Dipietro scored in the 98th minute as D.C. United completed a remarkable comeback to defeat Toronto FC 3-2 in a wild MLS season opener Saturday at Audi Field in Washington.

CF Montreal, Vancouver Whitecaps both lose opening games of season

Gemma Karstens-Smith · The Associated Press · Posted: Feb 25, 2023 11:28 PM EST | Last Updated: February 26, 2023

Two male soccer players battle for the ball as a group of players look on in the background. — D.C. United forward Christian Benteke and Toronto FC defender Raoul Petretta (28) battle for the ball during a 3-2 victory for D.C. United on Saturday. (Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports)

Substitute Theodore Ku-Dipietro scored in the 98th minute as D.C. United completed a remarkable comeback to defeat Toronto FC 3-2 in a wild MLS season opener Saturday at Audi Field in Washington.

The 21-year-old Ku-Dipietro poked the ball home from in front of the goal for his first MLS strike after setting up Christian Benteke's tying goal in the 90th minute with a well-flighted cross for the Belgian international forward to head home.

⚡️ UNREAL ⚡️ <a href="https://t.co/8wmUw3demp">pic.twitter.com/8wmUw3demp</a>
—@dcunited

Toronto seemed to have salvaged the points with Federico Bernardeschi scoring one goal and setting up another.

Bernardeschi scored from the penalty spot in the 66th minute to pull Toronto even and then, with a powerful free kick, set the table for Mark-Anthony Kaye's goal in the 83rd minute. D.C. goalkeeper Tyler Miller got a hand to Bernardeschi's rocket but Kaye reached the rebound first, acrobatically twisting his body to knock the ball home.

BOXSCORE: D.C. United 3, Toronto FC 2

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Adding to Toronto's pain, Italian star Lorenzo Insigne limped off in the first half.

D.C. had the better start and pulled ahead in the 13th minute when designated player Mateusz Klich, in his MLS debut, was allowed to drive unchallenged down the middle of the field. The Polish midfielder, who spent the last four seasons in England with Leeds United, beat Sean Johnson with a right-footed shot from outside the penalty box.

CF Montreal drops 1st game to Inter Miami FC

Drake Callender saved all six shots he faced while Sergey Krivtsov scored in his first Major League Soccer appearance as Inter Miami earned a 2-0 home win Saturday night over CF Montreal in the season opener for both teams.

Miami never trailed after Krivtsov made it a 1-0 game in the 41st minute. Gregore got an assist on the goal.

Miami also got one goal from Shanyder Borgelin, the striker's first in MLS. The 21-year-old homegrown talent was Miami II's top scorer last season with 12 goals.

BOXSCORE: Inter Miami CF 2, CF Montreal 0

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Miami outshot Montreal 18-14, with seven shots on goal to six for Montreal.

Callender has five shutouts in 25 career starts, all with Miami. James Pantemis had three saves for Montreal.

Whitecaps fall to Real Salt Lake in opener

Damir Kreilach scored to complete a 2-1 come-from-behind victory for Real Salt Lake as the club opened the Major League Soccer season against the Whitecaps in Vancouver on Saturday.

The Whitecaps (0-1-0) got off to a strong start, controlling much of the play through the first 45 minutes.

BOXSCORE: Real Salt Lake 2, Whitecaps FC 1

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A goal from Javain Brown in the 25th minute gave Vancouver the advantage heading into halftime.

But RSL (1-0-0) burst into the second half with renewed energy and scored twice in two minutes, with Justen Glad and Kreilach each finding the back of the net.