Greetings to the 30th season of MLS and the 15th installment of this column! I’ve finally hit a balanced record!

This season has brought some notable debuts, an exhilarating finish in Fort Lauderdale, a historic achievement for the league’s newest team, and some well-known players relocating. There’s plenty to explore as we dive in.

Let’s kick things off in Los Angeles, where the Black & Gold commenced their season with a victory.

I had high hopes for last year’s LAFC squad, so I was taken aback by the myriad changes to their roster this offseason. Some of this transformation is obviously linked to salary cap constraints—it’s tough to maintain a stellar team consistently in MLS—while other shifts stem from dynamics in the global transfer market. When you cultivate a talent like Mateusz Bogusz, it’s natural for international interest to emerge, ultimately resulting in offers that MLS teams can’t refuse. Change is simply part of the game.

However, there’s been a significant amount of turnover beyond just that (with players like Jesús Murillo heading to Juárez and Eduard Atuesta joining Orlando). Consequently, it has been tough to envision them hitting the ground running. This shift has already resulted in some early disarray; during their first two matches, the Black & Gold struggled to find their rhythm and cohesion.

In Saturday’s match, the first league game of the year, Minnesota took advantage of this disorganization in the first half. They utilized a low block to pull the home team forward, exchanging possession and field position for space to counter. They achieved this through a 3-4-1-2 setup, with Joaquín Pereyra playing behind two true forwards, Kelvin Yeboah and Tani Oluwaseyi.

The purpose of the 3-4-1-2 formation today serves two main objectives:

1. Ensure that your main striker (in Minnesota’s case, Yeboah) is never isolated and always has a partner to connect with.
2. Create situations where, as your main forward pulls defenders away with off-ball movement, there’s another attacker perfectly positioned to exploit the ensuing space, effectively challenging opposing centre-backs to perform consistently under pressure.

The second point… well, it worked almost instantly, as Yeboah’s movement opened up a scoring opportunity for Tani within the first five minutes, suggesting more chances were imminent as LAFC found themselves in a tight spot.

Despite the offseason roster changes and Minnesota adopting an uncommon formation, LAFC has demonstrated resilience. Instead of wavering, they swiftly adapted by having new defensive midfielder Igor Jesus drop deeper, acting more like a classic stopper than a contemporary defensive midfielder. This adjustment minimized 1v1 situations for their centre-backs, allowing them to reach halftime without conceding a goal, paving the way for further tactical changes in the second half.

By bringing Timothy Tillman into the right midfield and Mark Delgado on the left, LAFC improved their midfield dynamics significantly. Tillman’s ability to play in congested areas, coupled with his off-the-ball movement, effectively opened up the game early in the second half, while Delgado’s underrated skill in winning second balls and creating space for forwards was crucial in scoring the game’s only goal in their 1-0 victory.

This strategy not only resulted in more possession for LAFC but also led to better pitch control, sharper attacking play, and more threatening opportunities. Such attributes were noticeably absent in the first half, and they had struggled to display any semblance of this against the Colorado Rapids, where they lost 2-1 in midweek.

“We emphasized the importance of increasing our possession this season in the offseason, and I believe we’ve made great strides in that area,” said head coach Steve Cherundolo during the post-match press conference. “The challenge now is turning possession into goals. I’m not one to celebrate possession for its own sake. If we don’t score, what’s the point? The objective of possessing the ball is to be dangerous, create opportunities, and ultimately find the back of the net.”

“As we aim to create more chances with greater possession, that will be our next area for growth and progress as a team.”

Although improvement will be gradual, after several tough halves, there are signs of optimism. They will likely need to enhance their performance even further during Tuesday’s CCC rematch against the Rapids.

The Loons also have plenty to build upon, though I’m curious to see how long Robin Lod remains a substitute, especially since Pereyra has yet to establish himself as an effective player in MLS.

Another team with significant offseason changes is Houston. These shifts were largely warranted, as they received lucrative offers for some players, leading to the departure of Héctor Herrera. However, some decisions, like parting ways with goalkeeper Steve Clark, felt a bit excessive.

On the field, the Dynamo mirrored LAFC’s experience by starting strong in the first half only to falter in the second. Their collapse, culminating in a 2-1 defeat at home to FC Dallas, was largely due to self-inflicted errors.

Initially, let’s focus on the positives. A significant concern during the offseason was whether the Dynamo could maintain their identity after losing Herrera and Coco Carrasquilla from their formidable midfield. However, during their opening goal, we saw a promising indication of continuity:

That’s pure Jogo Bonito! As for the statistics…

• Passes into the final third: 50-29
• Passes in the final third: 130-62
• Passes into the opponent’s box: 11-6

These statistics reflect classic Dynamo performance indicators that are crucial for their success. They commanded 56 percent possession and effectively dominated play. Had Jack McGlynn’s attempt in the 73rd minute veered two inches to the right, it could have been 2-1 Dynamo with only 15 minutes remaining and a surge of momentum in their favor.

Nonetheless, this year’s Dynamo squad isn’t quite the same as in previous seasons. With Ethan Bartlow filling in for Micael, who was transferred to Palmeiras for a record fee, Bartlow’s critical turnover in defense gifted Petar Musa the equalizer for Dallas. Then, about 20 minutes later, it was Clark’s successor, Andrew Tarbell, who was caught out of position for what became Anderson Julio‘s game-winning goal.

Personnel decisions matter. Even minor mistakes, especially those made by Bartlow and Tarbell, can have major consequences. You can’t afford to hand out gifts in this league—this sentiment will resonate even more as the Dynamo prepare to host Messi & Friends for Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire.

“It’s just about repetition, bonding as a team. We had three players who hadn’t started together before,” said Dynamo head coach Ben Olsen after the match. “But sometimes, even when you deliver a solid game, one moment of naivety can lead to a costly outcome. In this league, those moments can be decisive.”

That’s particularly true when facing a striker like Musa, who shone despite the overall struggles of his team. FC Dallas, meanwhile, is in a state of rebuilding under new head coach Eric Quill, acquiring new players including a new No. 10 and a revamped midfield. It’s understandable that they weren’t at their best.

Nonetheless, the team in Frisco is focused on their successful turnaround, showcasing their capacity to recover from deficits and protect late leads, resulting in an impressive derby win.

Overall, it’s hard to ask for more from the opening weekend’s matches.

13. Kévin Denkey secured the game’s only goal, solidifying his status as a major signing for FC Cincinnati during their 1-0 victory against the New York Red Bulls. I was quite impressed by Denkey’s hold-up and combination play, exceeding my expectations, and even though Evander had an off game, he still managed to leave his mark by outsmarting Daniel Edelman in the 59th minute.

The Red Bulls, who surprised many with a 3-4-2-1 formation, were competitive but couldn’t match Cincinnati’s depth, especially with a couple of key players absent (like Matt Miazga and Luca Orellano). Barring further injuries, Cincinnati appears to be in contention for the Supporters’ Shield throughout the season.

Regarding RBNY: Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting was impressive in his debut. However, he, Emil Forsberg, and Lewis Morgan appeared to occupy similar attacking spaces, leading to the team’s most effective moments often involving right wingback Cameron Harper. It will be interesting to see how long it takes them to resolve this issue.

12. Denkey held the title of MLS record signing until recently when Atlanta acquired Emmanuel Latte Lath. Our Special Armchair Analyst correspondent Calen Carr reported on Latte Lath’s dramatic debut brace during a thrilling 3-2 victory over CF Montréal. Here are some key points from his analysis:

• Signing Latte Lath was Atlanta’s response to Cincinnati acquiring Denkey for a record fee, especially since several Premier League clubs were also interested. His scoring debut, featuring a header during a set piece and a poacher’s goal from a rebound, points to a promising season ahead.
• High-level transfers (around $45 million across multiple players like Alekey Miranchuk, Miguel Almirón, and Latte Lath) show that even individual talent can succeed without established chemistry.
• Despite injuries to fullbacks Brooks Lennon and Pedro Amador, Atlanta looks prepared for a successful season.
• Montreal made commendable efforts to regroup, managing to even the score twice, including nearly scoring with a crossbar hit late in the game, a testament to their potential.
• Nathan Saliba is a promising U22 player ready for a breakout season after scoring a stunning goal, while George Campbell has emerged as one of the league’s strong modern centre-backs.

If you’re searching for entertaining soccer, keep an eye on Montréal; while they may not reach 50 points, they’ll deliver plenty of thrilling matches.

11. The Pass of the Week highlights Toronto FC midfielder Alonso Coello for his impressive through-ball to Henry Wingo, leading to a lively 2-2 draw against D.C. United.

This result was a solid point for the Reds, who managed to recover twice on the road. D.C. continues to adjust to its rebuilding phase; for deeper insights, I recommend Marc Machado’s analysis.

10. Austin mostly maintained control of their home opener against Sporting KC, though they weren’t especially threatening early on. They were fortunate not to concede a goal in the first half when Willy Agada almost scored.

However, they applied sustained pressure and earned a deserved late winner through Osman Bukari, who scored from Owen Wolff’s corner delivery.

Sporting has begun the season with two consecutive losses, one in the CCC and another in the league opener against Austin.

“We need to minimize set pieces against us, whether corners or free kicks near our goal,” stated manager Peter Vermes post-match. “Our goal is to limit those opportunities. Unfortunately, we couldn’t in that situation and lost due to a set piece.”

“We have a long road ahead.”

9. The highlight of St. Louis’s goalless draw against Colorado was a moment of gamesmanship by Simon Becher.

Unfortunately for the home fans, Henry Kessler was ruled offside following Eduard Löwen’s initial shot, nullifying the goal.

Becher was everywhere and, while he missed some chances, his ability to generate opportunities is a positive signal; strikers who find chances usually finish them eventually.

“This should be a game we win,” said new St. Louis head coach Olof Mellberg. “We dominated most of the match with 18-2 in shots and limited them to basically zero chances. Aside from a few dangerous situations, we controlled the game but just couldn’t convert our chances.”

Indeed. Consistent performances like this one typically lead to victories over time.

The shorthanded Rapids, missing several key players, managed to secure a draw on short rest, with Zack Steffen providing a commendable performance in goal.

8. The Revs also secured a point on the road, managing a scoreless draw against Nashville.

Sam Surridge, the DP No. 9 for Nashville, had three great opportunities to clinch the win. If he can’t convert those, it might be a challenging season for Nashville.

7. Leo Messi was a savior for Inter Miami, executing a spectacular late equalizer despite playing a man down for over an hour after Toto Avilés’s ejection in their 2-2 draw against New York City FC.

His second goal, a last-minute equalizer in the second half’s stoppage time, showcased a level of skill few possess, and the initial goal was equally memorable.

The Herons will thrive as long as they can maintain a full squad; Avilés’s inclusion makes that far more challenging, and he needs to be sidelined.

NYCFC performed admirably without any designated players on the road against the Shield favorites, but it certainly felt like two points lost.

6. We’ll delve into the “familiar face, new place” section, which could have included coaches like Ronny Deila, Robin Fraser, and Nico Estévez as well—my apologies to them! We start with Bradley Carnell, whose Philadelphia Union embraced a Red Bull-style 4-2-2-2 formation, resulting in a convincing 4-2 victory over Orlando, thanks to two goals from Tai Baribo and some aggressive pressing.

Here’s a passing graphic illustrating how integral left-midfielder Quinn Sullivan (No. 33) was to the attack:

Orlando eventually found some chances, winning the xG battle 3.08 to 1.87, but most came late in the match when they were already trailing 4-1. Missing Robin Jansson, they appeared desperate for depth in defence, with Pedro Gallese facing four shots and conceding four goals.

5. The Chicago Fire’s season opener under Gregg Berhalter was arguably the weekend’s most captivating contest. They scored two impressive goals in transition (credit to Jonathan Bamba and Brian Gutiérrez) but conceded two classic blunders, saw Carlos Terán knock in a remarkable own goal, and watched the Crew regain control with some excellent tactical adjustments:

• Mo Farsi retreated to contain Bamba after the 25th minute.
• Sean Zawadzki shifted up, causing significant issues for Chicago.

Zawadzki was fantastic and reminded us of his potential before he fractured a rib last September, playing commendably despite the injury during the playoffs. If he can regain full fitness and the Crew adds a top-designated player, they may retain their competitive edge.

Returning to the Fire: fans were excited by the performance despite the loss, while Berhalter felt the team missed a chance to claim points.

“Essentially, we handed them three goals. That’s tough. While we created many opportunities, limiting our mistakes could have changed the game,” he stated in the press conference.

While Berhalter’s stance is valid, these types of errors have plagued the Fire for years. We’ll see if they can improve before Matchday 2.

4. Our last returning coach in a fresh role is Bruce Arena, now leading the Earthquakes for the first time. He surprised many by opting for a 3-4-1-2 formation instead of his usual 4-4-2, which resulted in a dominating 4-0 victory. Daniel was stellar in goal, while Cristian Espinoza proved dangerous on the right flank.

Nonetheless, Arena remarked, “The scoreline is not entirely fair. They faced a lot of challenges after arriving from their previous game in Costa Rica. Let’s be realistic; our team performed admirably, yet we must keep perspective.”

This viewpoint makes sense. I found the 3-4-1-2 formation beneficial for protecting the forwards, Josef Martínez and Chicho Arango, giving me reasons for optimism regarding San Jose. Simultaneously, while I appreciate Arena’s leniency towards RSL, they appear to be missing a significant portion of last year’s offensive firepower, which is concerning.

3. Our Face(s) of the Week go to Seattle center backs Jackson Ragen and Yeimar Gómez Andrade, who experienced this:

This was not a solid outing for Charlotte, who spent the game on the back foot and relied on an impressive performance from Kristijan Kahlina to secure a 2-2 draw at Lumen Field.

Nonetheless, not many MLS teams could have pulled off this draw, and Charlotte excel at defending against intense pressure and securing results.

For Seattle, frustration is likely the prevailing sentiment rather than concern. And let’s not forget: Georgi Minoungou is a standout talent!

2. Vancouver’s visit to Portland concluded with Kamal Miller receiving a red card for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity in the 11th minute.

Ryan Gauld opened the scoring in the 24th minute, followed by a goal from Pedro Vite shortly after. By the end of the match, the ‘Caps had secured a commanding 4-1 win, led by Jayden Nelson, who contributed with 1 goal and 3 assists.

Newly appointed head coach Jesper Sørensen couldn’t have asked for a better performance; the team exhibited a ruthless mentality once they gained a numerical advantage, especially considering their travel complications from the CCC. Their approach was clear: “let’s seize the moment.” However, it’s hard to leverage any tactical lessons given the game’s circumstances.

Portland deployed a 3-5-2 formation, which they haven’t often used, leading to vulnerabilities that Vancouver capitalized on. Color commentator Brian Dunseth pointed out the need for adjustment regarding how the center-backs react under pressure, particularly after Miller’s red card.

We’ll start uncovering the impact of those adjustments next week.

1. The Galaxy played gracious hosts in the inaugural Sunday Night Soccer, allowing San Diego FC to score the first goal in the club’s history:

This lead held until stoppage time when Anders Dreyer added another goal, securing a 2-0 victory. Despite both teams struggling to turn midfield possession into chances, San Diego—led by Dreyer—capitalized on their opportunities effectively.

• San Diego’s cautious play involved keeping their fullbacks deep to prevent Gabriel Pec from advancing, opting for a conservative two 8s formation instead of an attacking strategy. Given the circumstances, it’s understandable, and I anticipate they will adopt a more offensive strategy as the season progresses.
• The Galaxy struggled to find a midfield balance; head coach Greg Vanney frequently admonished newcomer Lucas Sanabria regarding his positioning, which limited playmaker Marco Reus‘s effectiveness.

However, LA appeared to find a way to dismantle their opponents in the final 15 minutes when Elijah Wynder entered for Sanabria, contributing both in combination play and making dynamic runs. Nonetheless, it was the last segment of the game, so I take that with a grain of salt, but the stark difference suggests a personnel shift might be necessary.

Regardless, without Riqui Puig available next week—and likely for the next several games—the Galaxy face a significant challenge ahead.

On the other hand, San Diego’s compact 4-3-3 formation functioned efficiently, ultimately helping their star players clinch the match. It’s evident that this was precisely the strategy they envisioned. Exceptional job executed.