Ashley Cole’s start to life at LA Galaxy has not gone entirely according to plan

Simon Lloyd

Major League Soccer is back, and it seems Ashley Cole’s arrival in California has caused quite a stir.

After generating more headlines for his lurking memes than his performances on a football pitch while at AS Roma, Cole has now switched to LA Galaxy.

His first competitive game for his new side came on Sunday night, with the Galaxy hosting DC United in their MLS season opener.

There was plenty of excitement ahead of the new campaign in America.

The mere sight of Ashley Cole with his new teammates caused this Galaxy supporter to forget to hold his phone the right way up.

So excited i did it upside down! @AJD_20 @TheRealAC3 @robbierogers @NDJ_Official @OficialGio pic.twitter.com/paO7nC63rA

— Christopher Garibay (@CHRISTopher0210) March 7, 2016

And while the home supporters were keen to make Cole feel welcome ahead of kick off, it wasn’t long before he was the subject of vile taunts from rival fans…

Ashley Cole, I do not like your hair. #DCU -T

— DC United WUFC (@DCUnitedWUFC) March 7, 2016

The significance of one of England’s most decorated defenders making his MLS debut was lost on some people.

Someone named Ashley Cole is trending. She sounds hot.

— ☃️ (@shawist) March 7, 2016

At half time, Galaxy found themselves trailing after a Steven Gerrard error paved the way for an opening goal for the visitors.

Viewers were not impressed.

Ashley Cole when he turns up in LA expecting to relax on a beach but he actually has to play pic.twitter.com/8VYPFoKgbv

— andrew (@Quakes98) March 7, 2016

https://twitter.com/LAGalaxy_Nation/status/706687129842094082

https://twitter.com/sterling_m/status/706695090949885952

Ashley Cole & Steven Gerrard rn pic.twitter.com/n2l592L7ZA

— Phillip Leyva (@philthisisphil) March 7, 2016

Fortunately for Cole, things perked up in the second 45. A much better performance as his side scored four times without reply, and it seemed as if his new supporters had been won over.

Ashley Cole is awesome. #ColeMiners were absolutely right. #LAGalaxy #LAvDC

— Carrie, The Raven of Porto (@newt_ripley) March 7, 2016

(#ColeMiners?)

Ashley Cole is having one hell of a second half defensively. Didn't expect that at all after the first 45. #LAGalaxy #LAvDC

— Joe Tansey (@JTansey90) March 7, 2016

https://twitter.com/Mastercej/status/706703279460192256

Full credit to Ashley Cole, who's had two potentially goal-saving tackles this half. Excellent performance. #LAGalaxy #DCU

— Pablo Iglesias Maurer (@MLSist) March 7, 2016