NYCFC starts 3-0 for first time by taming Orlando City

NEW YORK » Ismael Tajouri and Maximiliano Moralez scored 12 minutes apart in the second half, and New York City FC opened the season with three straight wins for the first time in the club’s short history with a 2-0 victory over Orlando City Saturday.

Orlando goalkeeper Joe Bendik misplayed a back-pass that went right to Tajouri inside the 18-yard box, and Tajouri took a few touches to the penalty spot for an easy finish in the 62nd minute. After an Orlando giveaway to Saad Abdul-Salaam, Jesus Medina settled it for an oncoming Moralez to slide it home.

NYCFC (3-0-0) was without star David Villa due to a minor injury. Orlando City (0-21), led by NYC’s former coach Jason Kreis (2014-15), has its share of injury problems as well. Striker Stefano Pinho had an ankle injury, leaving on crutches, and playmaker Dom Dwyer will be out at least two more weeks. ATLANTA UNITED 4, WHITECAPS 1 » Josef Martinez had his fourth career hat trick to help Atlanta United (2-1-0) beat Vancouver.

Vancouver (2-1-0) played a man down, and from behind, for most of the match after Kendall Waston was given a straight red card for elbowing in the 13th minute that led to an Atlanta penalty kick.

Martinez, who was fourth in MLS with 19 goals last season, converted. IMPACT 1, TORONTO FC 0 » Jeisson Vargas scored four minutes before the intermission to lift Montreal to a victory over Toronto FC (0-2) in the Impact’s home opener.

It was the first MLS goal for 20-year-old Vargas and the first win for coach Remi Garde, who replaced Mauro Biello in December as coach of the Impact (1-2). MINNESOTA UNITED 2, FIRE 1 » Ibson scored his first MLS goal in the second half, Sam Nicholson added another 11 minutes later and Minnesota United (2-1-0) beat Chicago (0-2-0) in its home opener. DC UNITED 2, DYNAMO 2 » Luciano Acosta scored in secondhalf stoppage time and D.C. United (0-1-2) rallied from a two-goal deficit to tie Houston at the Maryland SoccerPlex.

D.C. United’s new Audi Field wasn’t ready for the home opener, so a sold-out crowd of 4,000 attended the alternate venue.