The season’s second round of Major League Soccer brought us a few more goals, a whole lot more snow… and another batch of piping-hot angles to ponder.
Let’s cook.
10. False spring
Around here, it’s supposed to get warmer as the season progresses. But Old Man Winter saved a bone-chilling sucker punch for MLS in Week 2, with freezing or near-freezing temperatures at kickoff in Chicago, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Minnesota and both New York-area games. (We’re leaving Montreal out of this, since they open every season indoors at Stade Olympique in a necessary nod to the merciless Quebec hiver.) In some cases the weather complicated matters on the field – how about those snowy scenes at TCF Bank Stadium?! – but for the most part, it tested the fans most of all. At least the players get to run around and generate some body heat…
3. Houston, we have a hydra
Sorry, Sounders fans: The title of most fearsome MLS “hydra” that once belonged to Seattle in the Obafemi Martins era has now passed to the Houston Dynamo. As our own Jesus Acevedo writes, the Orange’s frontline trio of Alberth Elis, Cubo Torres and Romell Quioto was monstrously fierce against Columbus Crew SC, each striker bagging a goal as coach Wilmer Cabrera’s work continues to turn heads.
Que pase. Que toque. Que golazo, @erickestefano15! #ForeverOrangepic.twitter.com/oRarc8MWwS
— Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) March 12, 2017
2. Godoy? Golazo!
The San Jose Earthquakes are making some waves too, as their bevy of TAM-enabled new signings has provided a dramatic injection of quality at Avaya Stadium. The 2-0 Quakes are also getting some new angles from existing parts, as Panamanian midfielder Anibal Godoy has suddenly become the go-to guy for mindblowing long-distance strikes. His knuckling rocket from range completed San Jose’s comeback on Vancouver and earned a deserved Goal of the Week nomination.
1. Van Damme-d
It wouldn’t be an early-season weekend without some controversial calls, would it? This week it’s the Galaxy who feel hard done by, as ace defender Jelle Van Damme saw a second yellow card from referee Baldomero Toledo with barely half an hour played. The replays suggest there are certainly some questions worth asking about possible Timbers theatrics. But with his first one apparently awarded for dissent – a point of emphasis for all referees this season – players across the league would be well advised to phrase their comments to the refs carefully.
