Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez came through with late-game heroics to lead the LA Galaxy to a 1-0 victory over NYCFC at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday afternoon in a headline showdown between the five-time MLS Cup winners and the current MLS Cup champions. While the Galaxy dominated the stat sheet in terms of shots and shots on goal, NYCFC had some particularly dangerous moments through Maxi Moralez, Santi Rodriguez, Talles Magno, and Taty Castellanos. The winner of the 2021 Golden Boot presented by Audi just missed a stoppage-time header that appeared to be the greatest chance of the half. Douglas Costa, making his MLS debut as a starter, aided the Galaxy's cause by registering two shots on goal in the first 45 minutes, helping to swing the stat line in the Galaxy's favor.

In the second half, the Galaxy looked more lively, thanks to Julian Araujo's angled crosses aimed at involving the strikers and Victor Vazquez's tempting chances. Chicharito also had a 68th-minute shot that forced Sean Johnson to make a save, allowing NYCFC to survive one of the most dangerous periods of the game against the hosts. But LA had one more burst of offensive potency left in them, ending in the magical Mexican forward going loose on the left flank and juking Maxime Chanot on route to scoring the game-winning goal in the 90th minute.

This is a crucial three points for the Galaxy at home to open the season, and it's the perfect start for them to return to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in three seasons. It just adds to the story when their hero scores the game's lone goal. With Concacaf Champions League commitments, NYCFC has had considerable travel and fixture congestion thus far, and defending their MLS Cup doesn't get any simpler next week. Next weekend, the Cityzens will have to make another cross-country trip to face the Whitecaps.

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Jimmy Vasquez & Darwin Rosales]