Head coach Jesse Marsch, seen in this file photo, must be happy with his team's early performance ahead of their first MLS campaign. (Graham Hughes/Canadian Press)
Sanna Nyassi, Zarek Valentin and Evan James scored for the Montreal Impact on Tuesday as the newcomers to Major League Soccer defeated the reigning champion L.A. Galaxy 3-0 in an exhibition game.
Montreal played a second, 60-minute exhibition game immediately afterward, falling 1-0 to Chivas U.S.A.
Against L.A., Nyassi opened the scoring in the 37th minute when his shot deflected in off a Galaxy defender.
L.A. came close to tying it in the 41st minute but David Beckham's free kick struck the crossbar behind Impact goalie Donovan Ricketts.
Valentin then blasted a shot from 25 yards that beat Josh Saunders in the 51st to make it 2-0 Montreal before James rounded out the scoring in the 90th minute off a cross from Miguel Montano.
In the second game of the day, Casey Townsend's goal in the second minute was enough as Chivas held on for the win.
