MLS returned for its 24th season this past weekend bringing new faces, a 24th club and lots of drama. The introduction of FC Cincinnati gives the league a more balanced schedule and gets rid of a team having to sit out bye weeks. MLS continued its fine form of entertaining and attacking soccer from 2018, averaging 3.4 goals per match. Yes, it's early, but there are still some key takeaways from MLS Week 1.
1) The demise of Toronto might have been over exaggerated
Sebastian Giovinco and Victor Vazquez left a creative void. Jozy Altidore is still recovering from injury. They were embarrassed in the Concacaf Champions League on the back of a very bad 2018. Philly was supposed to be improved and had a shiny new No. 10 — Marco Fabian.
But it was Michael Bradley pushing farther forward and scoring his first brace in MLS history that stole the headlines and gave Toronto a surprising three points on opening weekend. On Monday the club announced the signing of Alejandro Pozuelo, which they dubbed "the best player in the Belgian league." TFC next plays New England in two weeks and will have much higher expectations than they started this past Saturday with.
2) Minnesota United — a road team?
For the first time ever Minnesota United has won a road game against an MLS Western Conference opponent with a 3-2 win over Vancouver. That's two years and one week for those keeping count.
Minnesota was dreadful Year 1 but had decent periods during Year 2. Now with a few key additions (read: MLS Cup winners Ozzie Alonso and Ike Opara) and a new stadium set to open in a few weeks, Minnesota has a realistic chance at making the playoffs for the first time.
3) Seattle might be this year's Atlanta
If you missed the late game Saturday night, you might simply know that FC Cincinnati scored a screamer to open the game and that Jordan Morris got a brace in his return. You would have missed that Seattle looked impressive across the — yes, against a weak FCC.
It was the first time the Sounders had this 11 on the pitch together and it was highly entertaining. Fullbacks bombing on, quick interchange passing, speed, fast counterattackers — the Seattle offense looks ready to rid the club of the slow starts from the past three seasons. A favorable opening schedule could see Seattle run out to an early lead at the top of the MLS table. Morris, Raul Ruidiaz, Nicolas Lodeiro and Victor Rodriguez might be the best attacking four in the league.
4) DC United's home fortress
Since opening Audi Field last season DC United haven't lost in regulation in their last ten matches. That one loss was in penalties to the Columbus Crew during the MLS Playoffs. In fact, they've only lost three out of seventeen since Audi Field opened last July. Add on the fact that DC United has one of the easiest road schedules in MLS this year and the Rooney-Acosta connection might not just make the playoffs, they might win the Eastern Conference.
5) Zlatan and the academy
The LA Galaxy have often been known for being the first for a lot of key MLS moments: designated Players and MLS Cup trophies (first to five). But their academy often gets overlooked — mostly because they've failed to properly utilize it.
LA Galaxy II was started up in 2014 and finished second in USL in 2015. But since then their MLS front office has failed to properly prepare and bring through talented prospects. Often buying (failed) overseas projects, LA has tried to recapture the glory of the Beckham and Keane signings. Now Zlatan aside (he is a unique beast in the world of soccer), the team hasn't had a star prospect break though.
Until Saturday that is. Enter 16-year-old Efrain Alvarez, who turned the Galaxy's night around. The combo of the 37-year-old lion and the young Alvarez might be the most intriguing duo in the league this season.
The18 Recommends For You
