Los Angeles Galaxy forward Ola Kamara celebrates his goal during the first half of a Major League Soccer game against the Portland Timbers, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Portland Timbers defender Liam Ridgewell, top, tries to head the ball along with Los Angeles Galaxy forward Ola Kamara during the first half of a Major League Soccer game, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Portland Timbers defender Alvas Powell, top, tries to head the ball as Los Angeles Galaxy defender Ashley Cole ducks during the first half of a Major League Soccer game, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Portland Timbers goalkeeper Jeff Attinella, left, makes a save against the head of defender Michael Ciani during the second half of a Major League Soccer game against the Portland Timbers, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Carson, Calif. The Galaxy won 2-1. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Galaxy forward Ola Kamara, center, celebrates his goal as Portland Timbers defender Larrys Mabiala, left, and goalkeeper Jake Gleeson lie on the ground during the first half of a Major League Soccer game, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Portland Timbers midfielder Sebastian Blanco kicks the ball during the second half of a Major League Soccer game against the Los Angeles Galaxy, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Carson, Calif. The Galaxy won 2-1. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Portland Timbers defender Marco Farfan, left, and Los Angeles Galaxy forward Chris Pontius try to head the ball during the second half of a Major League Soccer game, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Carson, Calif. The Galaxy won 2-1. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Portland Timbers goalkeeper Jake Gleeson, left, makes a save on a kick by Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Sebastian Lletget, lower right, as goalkeeper Jeff Attinella helps defend during the second half of a Major League Soccer game, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Carson, Calif. The Galaxy won 2-1. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

CARSON >>One game in and the 2018 Galaxy season is already off to a better start than last year.

Last season, the Galaxy struggled to do anything at home except fail to come away wins, posting a 3-9-5 record.

Sunday, in its first chance to start the redemption process for last year’s dismal performance, the Galaxy thanks to a pair of first-half goals, the Galaxy broke the seal on the 2018 season with a 2-1 win over the Portland Timbers at StubHub Center in front of 25,462.

“I was happy with our team effort and our willingness to battle for each and play for each other, I thought was outstanding,” Galaxy coach Sigi Schmid.

Newly acquired Ola Kamara got things started for the Galaxy when he was able to fight defenders and chest in a ball that was headed toward goal by Rolf Feltscher.

“It was a fantastic feeling,” Kamara said of his goal. “It was a big build-up to this game and we needed the three points to show that here it is very difficult to beat us. I think we proved a statement and three points was very important.

“We had 5-6-7 big chances, so we could gone up maybe 3,4-0. I think we have to work on keeping the possession, but getting the first three points was a major key in this game for us.”

Two minutes later, Romain Alessandrini found himself in front of goal with a defender draped on him. His first attempt with his left foot hit the post and rolled back to him and he was able to slot the ball by Portland keeper Jake Gleeson with his right foot.

The Galaxy opened the second half with numerous chances to put the game away, but failed to convert.

Portland finally got on the board in the 65th minute with Sebastian Blanco beating David Bingham through the legs to cut the Galaxy’s lead in half.

“We played well in the first half, second half, a little bit sloppy, but again we fought and came away with the win,” defender and captain Ashley Cole said. “We’re not going to get too carried away with a win, first game of the season, but three points on the board.”

That’s where it would stay as both teams tried desperately for the next the goal.

The 85th minute, the Timbers had a free kick atop the 18-yard box. David Guzman’s hit was push away and out by Bingham.

Later, the Galaxy thought it had Kamara free on a breakaway, but the fourth official ruled that he was offside and in the 89th minute, Sebastian Lletget appeared to have been pulled down in the box, but the Galaxy’s shouts for a penalty went ignored from the officials.

The game wasn’t all fun for the Galaxy. In the 61st minute, Alessandrini went down with an apparent hamstring injury and had to be subbed off for Chris Pontius.

Schmid said it was too early for an official diagnosis.

“I know it was sometimes a little perilous in the back,” Schmid said. “But that doesn’t matter to me, we also had enough opportunities on the other end to score four or five. It is still about finishing those chances and making good use of them.”

Damian Calhoun is the Prep Sports Coordinator and writer for the Daily Breeze. He's also the soccer writer for the Southern California News Group, covering Major League Soccer and occasionally the U.S. national teams.

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