Takeaways from Matchday 1 in MLS

Matchday 1 in MLS is in the books, meaning we finally have games to talk about and results to analyze.

Here are few of the storylines that caught my eye after our first weekend of matches that actually count.

Michael Bradley's impressive coaching debut

If anyone has the experience to succeed as a first-time head coach in MLS, Michael Bradley would seem to be near the top of the list. Aside from his dad being one of the most notable and successful coaches in US Soccer history, Bradley starred in the league for years with Toronto FC, and always had a reputation as a highly cerebral and tactically astute player. Still, when the New York Red Bulls announced Bradley's hiring over the offseason, there wasn't all that much fanfare as he took over a club in transition with an underwhelming roster on paper.

It was just one game, but Bradley had an impressive debut in Saturday's 2-1 win at Orlando City. First, he deployed a highly courageous lineup, featuring three players under the age of 19. He also deployed one of those young players, Julian Hall, over a Designated Player in forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. If Bradley had just started Choupo-Moting, no one would have said anything coming off a season where the German striker went for 17g/5a. But he trusted his gut and the roll of the dice paid off, as Hall struck for both of RBNY's goals in the match, one of which was assisted by 16-year-old teammate Adri Mehmeti. Those aren't easy moves to make for a first-time head coach, so you have to give it Bradley for actually making them.

LAFC asserts dominance

LAFC's season-opener against Inter Miami was supposed to be a back-and-forth, star-studded clash of titans, featuring the two odds-on Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup favorites. Instead, it turned into a laugher, as the Black & Gold cruised to a pretty comfortable 3-0 victory where they virtually silenced Lionel Messi and blockbuster offseason arrival German Berterame.

It probably means very little as it pertains to Inter Miami's prospects this season, but it was still surprising to see them look that listless, even against a fellow juggernaut. At the very least, it could mean there'll be more of an adaptation period for the Herons than expected as they integrate all their new players. If there is anything worth tracking as a potential concern, it was the performance of Dayne St. Clair in goal. The free-agent signing from Minnesota looked shaky, and had a bad error when he came off his line and allowed Denis Bouanga to loop it over him, then convert an easy open-net finish.

For LAFC, the addition of Stephen Eustáquio is already paying huge dividends. The Canadian has been a perfect fit as their midfield metronome to complement the explosive Bouanga-Son duo. Ultimately, this result probably says more about how good LAFC are than anything about Inter Miami.

Nashville SC look as advertised

Nashville were an offseason darling after the blockbuster move for Cristian Espinoza, but you never know how it'll look until the games actually start. So far, so good for the Coyotes. BJ Callaghan's side absolutely tore apart the New England Revolution, 4-1, which isn't a huge surprise in itself. But you can already see Espinoza's impact with his playmaking, and also his presence taking attention away from Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge.

All the offseason predictions of a Nashville SC breakout are looking good so far. They really look like they've pulled off a season-altering move by pouncing on Espinoza's unexpected free-agent availability.

Tai Baribo's sweet revenge

A fun storyline took place in D.C., where Tai Baribo got his revenge on the Philadelphia Union after they traded him to the nation's capitol over the offseason. It was a bit of a surprise move given how productive Baribo was in Philly (35g/6a in 67 appearances), but most people seemed to give the Union the benefit of the doubt given their track record of roster savviness.

Through one game, however, the bragging rights go to D.C. Baribo played like a man possessed and eventually burned his former team with the lone goal in a 1-0 victory. For a D.C. side that took the Wooden Spoon last season, it was a promising start. It was also a bit of an ominous showing from the Union after they parted ways with pretty much all the cornerstone players that helped deliver them the Supporters' Shield last year.

Texas teams start hot

FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo weren't particularly heralded over the offseason, but each Texan side showcased what could be sneakily explosive attacks in their opening fixtures.

For FC Dallas, the forward duo of Petar Musa and Logan Farrington seems to have some real juice to it. Musa scored two goals, including a 74th-minute game-winner against Toronto FC. Farrington scored the other and added an assist for good measure. Musa was already one of the better No. 9s in the league and with Farrington, he seems to have found a running mate to create a legitimate 1-2 punch.

Houston, meanwhile, got a very intriguing debut from new Designated Player Guilherme against the Chicago Fire. With his team trailing 1-0, the Brazilian bagged two goals in an 11-minute span in the second half, including the game-winner in a 2-1 victory. If I had to tab an early sleeper pick for Newcomer of the Year, Guilherme would be it. Houston might not be very good this year, but he looks primed to put up some big numbers as their attacking focal point playing off Mateusz Bogusz and Jack McGlynn.

Use our affiliate links to support your bloggers when buying merch and tickets.