Los Angeles FC and Orlando City win MLS playoff openers

Fecundo Torres and Martin Ojeda scored to give Orlando City a 2-0 home victory over Charlotte on Sunday in the MLS playoffs.

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Orlando City took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three MLS first-round playoff series and will advance if they win game two on Friday in Charlotte.

Uruguayan midfielder Torres opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, firing home via the crossbar to give Orlando City a 1-0 half-time edge.

Argentine winger Ojeda completed the scoring in the 76th minute off passes from Colombian striker Ivan Angulo and Uruguayan midfielder Cesar Araujo.

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Charlotte’s Spanish midfielder Pep Biol was red carded in the first minute of second-half stoppage time.

The series winner will advance to an Eastern Conference semi-final against either Atlanta or Lionel Messi-led regular season champions Miami.

Los Angeles FC striker Denis Bouanga scored a penalty in the 30th minute and Uruguay’s Cristian Olivera added another goal in the 57th to lift the hosts over Vancouver 2-1 in their first-round series opener.

The Whitecaps scored in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time.

The series continues next Sunday in Canada with LAFC one win from meeting either Seattle or Houston in a Western Conference semi-final.

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