Season 7 is upon us, and our first match of the new year sees us staring down a familiar foe, the Seattle Sounders. Hugo Lloris is Black and Gold, Eduard Atuesta is BACK in Black and Gold, and Carlos Vela still isn't in Black and Gold. But one thing remains the same: LAFC does NOT lose season openers!The match began with another banger of a tifo by The 3252, proceeded by Giorgio Chiellini himself as the match's Honorary Falconer. Jordan Morris wasted no time in welcoming Hugo to MLS, as Lloris needed to make a huge save just minutes into the match. For most of the next hour, LAFC was on the front foot, and goals from Timothy (Himothy?) Tillman and Mati Bogusz on either side of the halftime whistle saw the home side off to a 2-0 lead. Things got interesting after a Seattle penalty kick saw the away side pull within one, but the Sounders never really mustered much more of a threat. LAFC wins the season opener, 2-1! Also on this episode, here's hoping Scarf's theory on Carlos Vela is better than his score prediction, Filly keeps receipts on MLS pundits, and the boys sport retro kits for the first time in several seasons. It feels so good to be back, so please enjoy Episode 289 of Defenders of the Banc!