MLS turns 30 - just don't call it a retirement league

LES BLEUS: Olivier Giroud and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris celebrate LAFC's U.S. Open Cup final victory together

Less than 24 hours after spending an hour in the joyfully relaxed California company of France World Cup winners Hugo Lloris and Olivier Giroud, discussing their opening game of the new 30th season of Major League Soccer, I'm suddenly inclined to go against my life-long rule of not believing the hype. 

For, from the languid lawns of their East LA training ground, I am now standing pitchside as they walk out in front of a raucous capacity 22,000 strong crowd at Los Angeles FC’s state-of-the-art BMO stadium. Only the most cynical would not get swept away in the sense of excitement and genuine joy that US-based football fans have for the game. They come in all ages, shapes, sexes and sizes, mainly bedecked in the black and gold of their favourite Los Angeles players.