Major League Soccer is unpredictable as always. Last year's Supporters Shield winners went to Portland to prove they are no one-hit wonder, and the defending MLS Cup champion suffered a heartbreaking 90th-minute defeat in Los Angeles.
With Week 1 in the books, Jeff and Dan look at the weekend's results and break down all 28 clubs in our order, with a few teams in unfamiliar positions.
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The next MLS match is on March 6. The show is on the cable network, ESPN.
Steve Cherundolo got all he could have asked for with a Carlos Vela hat trick, impressive play and a clean sheet as he made his managerial debut. LAFC might have to break the bank to keep him if he keeps playing at this level.
The next MLS match is on March 5 at Minnesota United. The show is on the Disney channel.
Following its road win against Seattle, Nashville gave notice that it will do well in the Western Conference. When Nashville spent $650,000 in allocation money for Anibal Godoy, eyebrows were raised, but he has been worth every penny and won the game on Sunday.
Colorado Rapids will play the next MLS match on March 5. The show is on the Disney channel.
The crowd of more than 67,000 filled into Mercedes-Benz Stadium to watch Atlanta in the first ever MLS opener. Atlanta was outshot and outpossessed, but took advantage of its chances with three of them. The man had two assists. Atlanta is fearsome. Again.
The next MLS match is on March 5 at Charlotte FC. The time is later.
Greg Vanney was warmed by the win over NYCFC. The first winner was Chicharito. Maybe a bigger one was recorded. During the regular season in 2021, the Galaxy kept just five clean sheets.
A clutch goal was scored against NYCFC.
The next MLS match is on March 5 at San Jose Earthquakes. The show is on the Disney channel.
The city of Columbus put on a show. It was 2-0 at the end of the first quarter, and the chasm only got worse before Jake Nerwinski was sent off in the second half. Columbus did not concede a shot on goal, but it did complete almost 85% of its passes. It's hard to be more impressive to start a season.
The next MLS match is against FC Dallas. The show is on the Disney channel.
The Supporters Shield winners, fresh off their historic 2021, finished level with Portland in an instant classic. Sebastian Lletget found the net in his Revs debut and Carles Gil is still the most dangerous creator in MLS. The usually stellar New England defense had some communication issues that need sorting, but Earl Edwards Jr. filled in admirably for injured and Matt Turner in net.
March 6 at LAFC is the next MLS match. The show is on the cable channel, ESPN2.
Yimmi Chara might have wrapped up Goal of the Year in the first week of the season, thanks to a bicycle kick that tied the game against New England. The goal helped distract the fans from the domestic violence allegations against Andy Polo.
The next MLS match is on March 5 at Toronto FC. The show is on the cable network, ESPN+.
The Red Bulls took advantage of their chances. They were outpossessed and only completed 57% of their passes, but their defense set the tone with 25 clearances and 22 fouls committed. After Toronto, New York has Minnesota, Columbus and New England. The Red Bulls will be high up in these rankings for a while.
Tom Barlow scored in the 92nd minute.
The next MLS match is on March 5. The show is on the Disney channel.
Both sides of the boxing match were down to 10 by the 90th minute. It was a character-building victory for the Lions, who could have used more of that last November against Nashville in the playoffs.
The next MLS match is on March 5 at FC Cincinnati.
It looked like Charlotte had a great start to the season. It was all D.C. United fortune after the goal was waved off, as well as a controversial penalty, a shot from distance, and a cross parried. Football can be cruel, but D.C. will not complain.
The next MLS match is on March 5. The show is on the Disney channel.
Despite missing three starters, the Loons did well to get a road draw against the Union. For all the talk of DP strikers, Robin lod's finishing remains impressive. He scored the first goal of the season for Minnesota.
The next MLS match is on March 5 at Montreal. The show is on the Disney channel.
The Union only tied three times over the course of the year. Minnesota looked dangerous in attack and on the road, but Philly weathered the storm, as it does often. Philadelphia is favored to take full points from Montreal and San Jose.
The points between Philadelphia and Minnesota were split by a goal by Cory Burke.
The next MLS match is on March 6. The program is on the cable network, ESPN/ESPN Deportes.
Austin will not be able to play a pushover like FC Cincinnati every week, but you still have to beat teams like that, and the Verde and Black did their part in a thumping. The attack featuring Sebastian Driussi, Cecilio Dominguez and Diego Fagundez looks set to do some damage after a year.
The next MLS match is on March 5. The show is on the cable network, ESPN+.
Rarely does an opening-day loss feel positive, but NYCFC were undone by a 90th-minute feat of individual brilliance, courtesy of Chicharito. The reigning MLS Cup champ didn't look as sharp in their attack, but they will bounce back.
The next MLS match is against the New York Red Bulls. It's on the Disney Channel
The Bob Bradley era has begun in Toronto, not quite as resoundingly as hoped, but after taking only 28 points in 2021, any and all points are welcomed, especially on the road, a point of contention for the Reds a year ago. Toronto could rise quickly if their success in the final third yielded more chances.
The next MLS match is on March 5 at New England Revolution. The show is on the Disney channel.
The goal of Jesus Ferreira should have been allowed to stand. It should be pointed out that Dallas had a 2-0 lead on Toronto, but they couldn't make it stand up in the end.
The game was played between FC Dallas and Toronto FC.
The next MLS match is on March 5 at Real Salt Lake. The time is later.
All four MLS sides in the CCL lost last weekend, as the Sounders were part of a group in the CCL. Seattle was the only one to lose at home, so that isn't as much of an excuse as you might think. It will take some time for the new players to get to know each other.
The next MLS match is on March 5. The show is on the Disney channel.
It will feel like a victory if the Chicago defense is kept off the board. A few goals to start would be a clarion call for the Fire faithful.
The next MLS match is on March 6 at Austin FC. The show is on the cable network, ESPN.
Inter Miami needs to take a huge step forward in 2022, and Saturday wasn't it. Three shots on goal and 40% possession. Neville will want more from his squad.
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SATURDAY, MARCH 5
• New England vs. Dallas (1:30 p.m. ET)
• Toronto vs. Red Bulls (2 p.m. ET)
• Montreal vs. Philadelphia (4 p.m. ET)
• San Jose vs. Columbus (5:30 p.m. ET)
• Chicago vs. Orlando (6 p.m. ET)
• Colorado vs. Atlanta (6 p.m. ET)
• Cincinnati vs. D.C. United (6 p.m. ET)
• Minnesota vs. Nashville (6 p.m. ET)
• Salt Lake vs. Seattle (6 p.m. ET)
• Vancouver vs. NYCFC (6 p.m. ET)
SUNDAY, MARCH 6
• Austin vs. Miami (4 p.m. ET)
The next MLS match is on March 5. The show is on the cable channel, ESPN2.
After losing Albert Rusnak to free agency, expectations are low for RSL. The point gained from the road draw with Houston will definitely count.
March 5 is the next MLS match. The show is on the Disney channel.
The new management team promised not to put fans to sleep, but they did just that in the Houston home opener. It is early and help could be on the way, but first impressions are not great.
The next MLS match is against Atlanta United. The show is on the Disney channel.
Did the Rapids do well last season? They may be suffering from a CCL hangover. Did they run into a buzzsaw? Colorado looked second-best in losing to LAFC, so it could be all of the above.
The next MLS match is on March 5. The show is on the Disney channel.
In a loss to Atlanta, SKC looked vulnerable in transition. The side won't go down two goals every week, but it looks like it needs some reinforcements in the middle of the field.
The next MLS match is against Philadelphia Union. The show is on the Disney channel.
Montreal completed an astounding 90% of its passes, including an amazing 80.8% in the final third, but still not much went right for it on the offensive side. None of Montreal's crosses were completed, and five of eight shots were off target. It will have to improve for Djordje Mihailovic, who was second in MLS in assists in 2021.
The opening weekend of MLS saw two red cards shown as Montreal was defeated by Orlando City.
March 5 is the next MLS match. The show is on the Disney channel.
Matias Almeyda is officially in the phase of his tenure where he throws stuff at the wall to see if it works. In a 3-1 loss to the Red Bulls, the Quakes were plagued by turnovers in the middle of the field.
The next MLS match is against New York City FC. The show is on the Disney channel.
The Caps were not in a good way. The Crew took control of the game in the 52nd minute with the ejection of Nerwinski, who was on the right side.
March 5 is the next MLS match. The time is later.
Anyone who watched could tell you that this could have gone the other way. The first goal in franchise history was overturned by the VAR, and Charlotte conceded a trio of unlucky goals. Charlotte's upcoming opponents are Douglas Costa and the LA Galaxy, a revived Atlanta United and the record-setting New England Revolution.
The next MLS match is on March 5. The show is on the Disney channel.
Pat Noonan didn't get a debut for the ages. Austin scored five past his team. One of the MLS clubs with multiple seasons of 70 or more goals allowed is Cincy.
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