The LA Galaxy beat Charlotte FC 1-0 Saturday night in front of a sell-out crowd at Bank of America Stadium, with Efraen Lvarez scoring a golazo in the second half to spoil Charlotte FC's record-setting inaugural home opening. With 74,479 spectators in attendance — the largest single-game crowd in MLS history – Charlotte came out firing early, but the Galaxy eventually commanded the tempo of play, outshooting Charlotte 15-1 in the first 45 minutes. Charlotte could have easily fallen down in the first half if it hadn't been for goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina's heroics.

Despite Charlotte's defensive tightening up in the second period, they had no response for lvarez's amazing strike. The 19-year-old Homegrown midfielder scored a worthy 1-0 win for the Galaxy in the 77th minute, sending a beautiful long-range drive off the far post and into the net.

Fans have been looking forward to Charlotte's home opening for a long time, and it lived up to the expectations. Charlotte broke the record for the largest single-game audience in Major League Soccer history, with 74,479 supporters in attendance, surpassing Southeastern rivals Atlanta United, who attracted just over 73,000 for the 2018 MLS Cup. After missing the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in 2021, Greg Vanney's Los Angeles team has won two games in a row to start the season.

[Photography by ICONIC photographers Cody Arnold x Rachel Pearce]