The first MLS Saturday of 2017 is just about about halfway complete. A quick roundup of the day’s early games…
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LA Galaxy 1-2 FC Dallas
The LA Galaxy FC Dallas don’t rebuild; they reload. Sure, Fabian Castillo left late last summer, and sure, Mauro Diaz will miss most of the 2017 season as he recovers from a torn achilles. To which Oscar Pareja shrugs, “So what?” Rather than fretting, Pareja opted to further bolster and already loaded squad of dynamic youngsters, to the point he now has two capable starters in every outfield position.
The other thing he’s got at his disposal to start the season? Flexibility, in spades. For Saturday’s opener against LA, Pareja opted for a 4-4-2 featuring Maximiliano Urruti and winter signing Cristian Colman up top, Kellyn Acosta and Carlos Gruezo in the middle. En route to a 2-1 win at StubHub Center, Urruti and Acosta bagged goals — each of the highest quality and pinpoint precision — and FCD’s Supporters’ Shield is off to a flying start.
Go on, Maxi! 🎯
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 4, 2017
Urruti fires @FCDallas in front. #LAvDAL https://t.co/9tDPenzIGv
The kid's good, folks.@KellynAcosta with a great touch + finish. 2-1. #LAvDAL https://t.co/lsLwyfau7A
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 4, 2017
Columbus Crew SC 1-1 Chicago Fire
Early-season soccer can be mighty tough to watch — especially in MLS, especially for two teams who’ve only just undergone a major transformation during the offseason just gone by. It didn’t help Chicago that one of the crown jewels of their offseason, former LA midfielder Juninho, was unavailable through suspension carried over from Liga MX. Thus, Dax McCarty, who was also acquired this winter, operated on an island, with very little in terms of defensive protection alongside or creative license ahead. Nemanja Nikolic spent the majority of his MLS debut in an offside position. Regardless, David Accam remains one of the most criminally underrated attackers in the league, and rescued a point in the 73rd minute.
Allll square in Columbus. @iamdavidaccam with a cool finish! #CLBvCHI https://t.co/k1f7TXjTk7
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 4, 2017
On the other side, Crew SC started a pair of brand new signings at center back — Jonathan Mensa and Nicolai Naess — just behind newcomer Mohammed Abu alongside the incumbent Wil Trapp. U.S. youth international Zack Steffen, who’s 21, made his MLS debut in goal. Likewise, it was the established stars — Justin Meram and Ethan Finlay — who linked up for a well-worked opener.
Perfect cross, perfect finish.@JustinMeram & @EthanFinlay13 put #CrewSC in front! #CLBvCHI https://t.co/tP8iNpa1V8
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 4, 2017
Real Salt Lake 0-0 Toronto FC
Sebastian Giovinco saw his penalty kick saved by the penalty kick-saving magician otherwise known as Nick Rimando, as RSL and TFC played to a scoreless draw at Rio Tinto Stadium. Non-penalty division, the game’s best chance fell to Joao Plata late in the second half, but the diminutive Ecuadorian international blazed his breakaway effort over the crossbar, and the Reds were let off the hook.
Wall of the Wasatch. #RSL https://t.co/758FPFvhEr
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 4, 2017