MLS Takeaways: Week 3
Photo by Brenton Tse from Angels On Parade
Week 3 has come and gone, and it’s starting to look like I was quite wrong about LAFC’s struggles up front.
Regardless, let’s get to it.
Atlanta defeats Charlotte 3-0
I didn’t expect Charlotte to be a great team this year, but I didn’t expect them to be awful.
But man, they look awful right now.
Their biggest issue last season was not getting enough out of their designated players, and this year has been no different.
They need some help, and fast.
Vancouver and Dallas draw 1-1
Did Vancouver’s only goal come from a Paul Arriola own goal? Yes.
Was it still a point and not a blown lead? Yes!
Good job, Caps!
Cincinnati defeats Seattle 1-0
Jordan Morris had a clear cut chance to score and missed.
Brenner had a clear cut chance to score and scored.
In a game where both teams had less than 1 expected goal, that’s all the difference you need.
DC United and Orlando draw 1-1
Rooney ball, only three weeks in, seems to be effective for DC United.
But the main issue is Orlando, who’s attack looked lifeless against a team they really should be beating.
Two goals in three games isn’t going to cut it.
NYCFC defeats Miami 1-0
Stifling defense and a little bit of luck.
Sometimes, that’s all you need.
Philadelphia defeats Chicago 1-0
Chicago held out for dear life down a man for most of the game, and it’s the kind of performance they should really be proud of, even if they lost.
Losing to Philly isn’t anything to shake a stick at, let alone a last minute winner that took a nasty deflection while down a man.
Maybe Chicago is better than we thought!
Toronto and Columbus draw 1-1
Three weeks in, and Toronto has blown three leads, one that ended up as a loss and two as 1-1 draws.
7 points dropped from winning positions. That is not good.
Sporting Kansas City and LA Galaxy draw 0-0
SKC had 30 shots, with 11 on target, and not one went in.
Yikes!
Minnesota and New York Red Bulls draw 1-1
This was a pretty lively 1-1 draw, even though Minnesota didn’t show much attacking threat until after the 60th minute.
Nashville defeats Montreal 2-0
I like Nashville’s Johnny Cash inspired black jerseys, but they’ve worn it in both of their home games so far this year.
Yellow is their identity.
Stop messing with what works.
As for Montreal, they’re bad.
Austin defeats Real Salt Lake 2-1
After a humiliating 3-0 defeat in CONCACAF Champions League to the hands of Violette AC from Haiti, Austin really needed this one to get their groove back.
They got it, but it came due to a screamer from Owen Wolff.
But after how bad that Violette loss was, you take ‘em as you get ‘em.
St. Louis defeats Portland 2-1
Is St. Louis….good?
They sure seem to be!
But I would advise taking caution.
They have 3 wins from 3 games to start their MLS journey, and that’s very noble, but all three were come from behind wins.
Keep playing with fire, eventually you’ll get burned.
STL needs to start getting some leads as opposed to chasing the game.
San Jose defeats Colorado 1-0
It was just two years ago that Colorado was top seed in the west, and instead of building off of that momentum, they blew it up.
The results are one point after three games, and another potential wasted season.
Robin Fraser deserves better backing.
LAFC defeat New England 4-0
I was a strong advocate against LAFC getting rid of Chicho Arango, especially after in prior years LAFC struggled to get goals from their number 9’s.
They sure don’t seem to have any issues.
Denis Bouanga has been a huge help towards that, with two goals last night, but it’s a total team performance from Steve Cherundolo’s players.
LAFC had almost 3 xG yesterday against New England, as they absolutely thrashed the Revs at home.
They got a taste of MLS Cup, and they show no signs of slowing down whatsoever.
