ASN: MLS Opening Weekend Principally a Huge Snooze Fest

The standard simply is not there but, leading to some boring video games that lacked offensive pleasure. That mentioned, FC Dallas, Atlanta, and Houston have trigger for optimism because the 2017 marketing campaign will get underway.

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
March 08, 2017
11:05 AM

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Nonetheless, the offensive cohesion simply was not there. Of the 22 groups that performed over the weekend solely 4 scored a couple of objective. The Timbers’ five-goal romp over Minnesota—brace yourselves Minnesota followers, it’ll be a tough first yr—was the one staff to attain greater than two.

Even Toronto, which ought to be among the many greatest offensive groups this season, failed to attain. However that wasn’t all that went incorrect for the league. One among its brightest stars, Kaka, is ready to overlook six weeks. Orlando’s new stadium is terrific and it was enjoyable to look at the staff win at residence, however with out Kaka for over a month, it may need to play catch-up within the playoff race.

When it comes to younger gamers getting on the sector, the state of affairs can nonetheless use enchancment. Crew SC goalkeeper Zack Steffen is one potential younger star to look at this yr, Alphoso Davies appears to be like like a person amongst boys for Vancouver, and New York Purple Bulls homegrown participant Derrick Etienne, Jr. has some promising instruments. And whereas it’s true that the USA U-20 staff took away some key stars this previous weekend, MLS groups have to do a greater job of getting younger gamers minutes, and we are able to solely hope it improves in 2017.

Listed below are some speaking factors from the weekend.

Crew of the Week: FC Dallas

In case you are a impartial fan or an informal observer in search of a staff to assist in MLS, FC Dallas ought to be your staff. The franchise deserves way more followers than it has now as a result of it invests in youth gamers and it truly performs the children—with good outcomes, more often than not.

On Saturday, FC Dallas rolled into the Residence Depot Heart and walked away with a 2-1 win over the new-look Los Angeles Galaxy. The staff’s greatest participant on the day was United States worldwide Kellyn Acosta who might be a darkhorse candidate to start out in Russia (ought to the U.S. staff make it, in fact) as Bruce Area will possible want extra choices in defensive midfield. Acosta has defensive chunk and the type of athleticism that lets him cowl a whole lot of floor.

Whereas that skillset will not be unusual, Acosta additionally has good method on the ball and his objective scoring is enhancing. Already in 2017 he has two objectives within the Champions League and his third tally was the game-winning objective in opposition to the Galaxy.

Once you throw in the perfect central protection tandem within the league, FC Dallas is poised for a robust begin to 2017—and on the halfway level its greatest offensive participant, Mauro Diaz, is predicted again from an ACL damage.

Participant of the week: Diego Valeri

In Friday evening’s season opener, Portland trounced Minnesota 5-1 in entrance of its normal packed home at Windfall Park.

After final season’s disappointing displaying and an early Champions League ouster, it was a enjoyable time for the staff and its followers to start out off a brand new yr on the best foot. Entrance and middle was Diego Valeri—and the Argentine midfielder owned the middle of the sector and rating two objectives within the course of.

It was good to see a big-name designated participant flip in a top quality efficiency within the opening weekend.

Good crowd for Atlanta, however Purple Bulls win

Within the offseason, so much was made concerning the passionate followers Atlanta was assembling earlier than its inaugural season. In its opening sport at Bobby Dodd Stadium (its non permanent stadium this yr), supporters didn’t disappoint when it comes to creating ambiance.

In entrance of 55,000 followers, the stadium was shaking and it got here throughout on tv as an intense European sport. When Yamil Asad gave the hosts a 1-0 lead within the twenty fifth minute, it was a fairly intense sight to behold.

On the finish of the day, the Purple Bulls prevailed regardless of not taking part in significantly nicely. Its expertise enabled it battle via an opponent with all of the momentum and a troublesome residence discipline benefit.

There ought to be causes for the Purple Bulls to be involved, nonetheless. How is the entrance workplace spending cash? Reducing again from the times of Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez is one factor however whereas the staff has expertise, it comes throughout as low-cost. As Seattle and Toronto demonstrated, including a Nicolas Lodeiro or Sebastian Giovinco can push a staff excessive. Will the Purple Bulls spend money on success?

On the flip aspect, there ought to be optimism in Atlanta. Sure, it misplaced. However most of its opponents won’t be as savvy because the Purple Bulls. Enjoying in Atlanta will probably be troublesome for anybody. For an growth staff, that is about nearly as good as you’ll be able to hope for and followers ought to be excited concerning the membership’s potential. Anticipating a contending staff proper out of the gate will not be truthful—and I feel Atlanta followers get this.

Houston will get a great win

Early season video games are deceptive and customarily generally lack the sense of urgency that they need to. However for groups making an attempt to show the web page on troublesome seasons, these video games are necessary to construct momentum and pleasure.

On Saturday, Houston defeated reigning MLS Cup champions Seattle 2-1 at residence in one of many higher video games of the weekend. Houston made a bunch of strikes to bolster its roster and new head coach Wilmer Cabrera has a staff with a definite Latin taste to it.

Whereas American followers had been completely happy to see Clint Dempsey get again on the scoreboard, Houston followers had been much more delighted that issues may be on course. Making the playoffs might be troublesome however turning round this underachieving staff in the best route is not any small feat.