MLS Takeaways: Week 2
Photo by Dilip Vishwanat from Getty Images
With no football on during the season, it felt like the site would be empty apart from some Formula 1 racing every now and then.
So what better way to replace the football content, with some futbol content.
So each week in MLS, I’ll go over what we’ve learned so far from the games around the league.
And yes, I know I missed last week.
Leave me alone. I don’t get paid for this.
LAFC defeats Portland 3-2
The defending champs opened up their season with a win over the Timbers, and it was a win that went from comfortable to nervy in a moments notice.
Some poor goalkeeping and defending let Portland get back in the game when it felt like LAFC was in total control, but the main question I had on LAFC would be their goal scoring after losing Chico Arango.
One week down, everything seems fine.
Atlanta draws Toronto 1-1
Toronto desperately needed their stars to stay healthy, and injuries keep piling up.
What’s even worse is that Toronto still look lethargic in attack, which was supposed to be a strong point.
It hasn’t been a great start, but Bernadeschi stealing them a road point is at least a consolation prize.
Columbus defeats DC United 2-0
Columbus looked good against Philly for the first half last week, before the Union turned it up to 11 and blew their doors off.
But new Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy didn’t worry about that, and the Crew played the exact same dominating game on Saturday night against D.C. United.
If they play like that every week, they’re going to win a lot of games.
Inter Miami defeats Philadelphia 2-0
I wasn’t very high on Inter Miami this year.
It appears that I may have been wrong.
A win over Montreal may not be the greatest win in the world, but dominating Philadelphia is a great result.
Now, did they win their game because both of their goals were golazo’s? Sure. And that’s not going to happen every week.
But they were still the better team overall Saturday night, and that’s what can lead to sustained success.
New England defeats Houston 3-0
Bruce Arena knows how to get the best of his squad, even if it means dropping a designated player striker for Bobby Wood.
Again, Houston isn’t very good.
But you can only play who is ahead of you.
Red Bulls draw Nashville SC 0-0
This, was a relatively exciting 0-0 draw!
FC Cincinnati draws Orlando City 0-0
This, was a decent 0-0 draw!
Colorado draws Sporting Kansas City 0-0
This, was a disgusting 0-0 draw and children should not legally be allowed to watch highlights without adult supervision.
Austin defeats Montreal 1-0
Montreal isn’t great, which we know.
Austin does seem a little bit off at the moment, especially since many considered them to be contenders for top dog in the West.
But it’s a long season. Still plenty of time to get things fixed.
Chicago draws NYCFC 1-1
Chicago’s first game of the year came against a very talented NYCFC team.
Considering Chicago was predicted to be one of the worst teams in the league this year, their first match performance has to bring a little bit of confidence into the locker room!
They were outplayed overall, but a point is a point against a superior team.
Maybe they’ll be better than experts think.
FC Dallas defeats LA Galaxy 3-1
I predicted the Galaxy would be title contenders this year due in large part to an improvement on defense.
Early returns are showing that the defense has not improved.
Again, it’s a long season.
But these are the problems that hurt the Galaxy in recent years, and it needs to get fixed quickly.
St. Louis defeats Charlotte 3-1
The opening game of City Park in St. Louis did not disappoint.
The atmosphere was incredible, and St. Louis fed off of that en route to an easy win.
Of the last 18 teams to start their season 2-0, 14 of them make the playoffs.
It’s been a great start for the league’s newest expansion team, and City Park looks to be a difficult place to play all year.
San Jose defeats Vancouver 2-1
Goonies never say die.
Two second half goals led the Earthquakes over Vancouver for their first win of the year.
It’s in the Quakes DNA.
As for the Whitecaps, they are two games in and now have 6 points lost from winning positions due to two second half goals against Real Salt Lake and now San Jose.
That’s not a good way to start the season.
Seattle defeats Real Salt Lake 2-0
Maybe it’s the fact that Joao Paulo is back.
Maybe it’s the fact that Jordan Morris doesn’t have to worry about his US Men’s National Team standing with the World Cup gone, and he can play more freely.
Whatever it is, the Sounders look back to their dominant ways they showed during their CCL run a year ago.
But everything derailed when injuries arrived last year, and they surely will again.
I’m curious to see how the Sounders look when that time comes.
