Outside90’s Daniel Fraiz-Martinez breaks down all the major talking points from the first round of 2016 MLS action.
New season, same old Giovinco
The third decade of MLS football kicked-off on Sunday night, with arguably the league’s best team playing host to undeniably the best player.
So it could perhaps be seen as victory of sorts for the individual over the team collective, that a Sebastian Giovinco inspired Toronto FC defeated the Supporters Shield Champions the New York Red Bulls 2-0 to begin the season’s inaugural Soccer Sunday.
While not being at his imperial best, Giovinco still managed to produce the game’s few highlights. A breath-taking turn, flick and attempted lob of New York goalkeeper Luis Robles from well inside his own half was followed by the “Atomic Ant” converting a penalty kick, and then creating the second for teammate Marco Delgado on route to an unscripted victory.
In reality, the result may not represent much in terms of the context for both sides heading in to MLS’ 21st campaign.
Toronto’s initial gameplan of setting out to be a difficult team to beat away from home (understandably so given this was the beginning of an eight game sequence of away fixtures) somewhat surprisingly paid dividends against a Red Bulls side that showed plenty of their characteristic pressing and possession-based football. But perhaps they lacked the penetration that Argentine Designated Player Gonzalo Verón was set to provide before an untimely injury prior to their home opener.
POPULAR ARTICLES
Bundesliga – Team of the Week – Matchday 25 [VIDEO]
EPL – Outside90’s Team of the Week – Matchday 29
EPL – Player Ratings – Crystal Palace 1 Liverpool 2
Debutants Paunovic and Viera introduced given early introduction into the chaos of MLS
Soccer Sunday’s second game of the evening would prove arguably the most entertaining, and quite possibly provide an effective illustration of an introduction to the chaotic nature of MLS soccer.
The Chicago Fire and New York City FC, two sides featuring debutant coaches, played out an error strewn goal fest on route to a 4-3 NYCFC victory.
Both Chicago’s Veljko Paunović and New York’s Patrick Viera where given an introduction in to the sometimes kamikaze, often times comical nature of the defending, that the less developed MLS sides have been known to exhibit.
Viera will have left the match (marginally) the happier of the two novice managers. However, the tumultuous manner of his side’s victory, with ageing Italian Designated player Andrea Pirlo still looking out of place, will give the boss plenty to ponder on.
Indeed a further conundrum likely awaits the former Arsenal, Inter Milan and France international with the impending return of another of his sides big name signings, ex-Chelsea and England captain Frank Lampard.
Lampard missed out on Sunday due to injury. But all the players theoretically selected in the starting XI in his absence: Thomas McNamara, Mix Diskerud, Khiry Shelton and Tony Taylor, all scored AND assisted in their team’s four goals at Toyota Park on Sunday.
This surprising turn of events means that the gauntlet has well and truly been thrown down in terms for a place in the expensively assembled jigsaw puzzle that is the New York City FC starting lineup.
Deadly FC Dallas start as they mean to go on
Over in Frisco Texas, last season’s Supporters Shield runners-up and Western Conference Champions FC Dallas started the season in an ominously imperious fashion, defeating the Philadelphia Union 2-0.
One of MLS’ great entertainers, the Texans kicked-off the campaign with no sign of ring rustiness or slowdown to their breakneck brand of dynamic, attacking football.
Lead by their deadly duo of Colombian livewire midfielder Fabian Castillo who scored the opener and Argentine magician Mauro Díaz who created both his side’s goals, they easily dispatched the Union in a more comfortable victory than the scoreline suggests.
Dallas have been busy in the offseason and have complimented their typical recruitment strategy of exciting young South American players (Ecuador’s Carlos Gruezo, and MLS ventured Argentine forward Maxi Urutti), with some experience in the shape of former Argentina international Mauro Rosales and ex-Wigan Athletic and Hull FC defender Maynor Figueroa.
Next up for Oscar Pareja’s seemingly more balanced side is another installment in one of the league’s more colourful rivalries, and a match-up against the Houston Dynamo (who also started the season impressively) in the “El Capitan” Texas Derby. A game that should prove a good early litmus test of sorts to gauge Dallas’ season aspirations.
Grown up Timbers prove MLS Cup victory was no fluke
The most intriguing contest of the opening MLS weekend would undoubtedly be the rematch of lasts season’s Cup final, with the champions Portland Timbers this time at home taking on last years beaten finalists the Columbus Crew.
The game, dominated by Argentine playmakers, was to prove a coming of age of sorts. With Portland proving that their victory in the season ending final was no fluke, repeating the 2-1 result over Greg Berhalter’s men from Columbus.
However, it was the manner of the win rather than the victory in itself that would likely have pleased Timber’s boss Caleb Porter the most.
His side demonstrating a poise and control that suggest his side has very much grown into their status as champions, with the Cup helping infuse both players and fans alike with a new found self belief in their standing as a top team.
Spearheaded by their talismanic Argentine maestro Diego Valeri, the Timber’s and indeed Valeri’s status as the decisive Argentine in the game was nearly usurped by a beautiful bicycle-kick equaliser by Columbus’ Federico Higuaín.
But Portland where not to be denied, and Nigerian international frontman Fanendo Adi would tap in a rebound just in front of goal to ensure justice was done. The celebrations at the Timber’s atmospheric Providence Park would not be denied, and their log cutting tradition would start the season in fine fettle.
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
