Around the MLS: Opening Weekend
The MLS returned this past weekend with some excellent fixtures.
Facundo Torres’ Penalty Leading Orlando City over the Red Bulls, St. Louis City S.C. winning their inaugural match over Austin F.C. and Thiago Almada striking twice in stoppage time to lead Atlanta United over San Jose were some of the top storylines from this past weekend.
Let’s dive into these top storylines from America’s top league.
Torres’ Penalty Leads Orlando City Over the Red Bulls
The reigning U.S. Open Cup Champions opened their season on Saturday, hosting the New York Red Bulls.
In a game where offensive chances were far and few between, a penalty decided who would walk away with three points.
In the 56th minute, Red Bull defender Sean Nealis blocked César Araújo’s header attempt but, in the process, was called for a handball.
Torres stepped to the spot and buried to give Orlando City a lead they would never relinquish.
The Red Bulls did their best to equalize and had a fantastic free-kick opportunity in the 90th+9, but Cristian Cásseres Jr. skipped the shot right into Pedro Gallese’s arms.
The Peruvian keeper finished with four saves as he recorded his 20th career clean sheet.
Orlando City will look to get another three points on Saturday when they host F.C. Cincinnati. While the Red Bulls will look to bounce back when they host Nashville S.C. on Saturday.
Almada and Atlanta United Strike Twice Late to Stun San Jose
In an interconference affair, Atlanta United hosted the San Jose Earthquakes to open their 2023 campaign.
The Quakes got some chances early and got on the board in the 12th minute. Cristian Espinoza sent a cross into the box that Jeremy Ebobisse headed in to give San Jose a 1-0 lead.
Both sides had some excellent chances but failed to convert, and as stoppage time began, it looked like San Jose would be leaving Atlanta with three points.
But then Almada took over. In the 90th+3, Brooks Lennon played a corner short to Almada, who sent a screamer off the crossbar and in to tie the game at one, but Atlanta United was not finished.
As stoppage time was winding down, the red and gold earned a free kick from outside the box. Then, in the 90th+9, Almada sent a curling shot that tipped off the fingers of Daniel and into the top right corner to send Mercedes-Benz Arena into a frenzy.
Atlanta United will look to get a more leisurely three points when they host Toronto F.C. on Saturday. While San Jose will look to secure their first points of the season when they host Vancouver F.C. on Saturday.
St. Louis City S.C. Wins Their Inaugural Match Over Austin F.C.
The newest club in the MLS debuted on Saturday when St. Louis City S.C. traveled to last year's Western Conference runners-up Austin F.C.
St. Louis City S.C. had a couple of great offensive chances early before finally striking in the 24th minute. Eduard Löwen sent a corner into the center of the box that Tim Parker connected with to give the black and red their first-ever lead.
St. Louis City S.C. appeared to be entering halftime with a 1-0 lead, but then in the 45th+4, Sebastián Driussi struck. Leo Väisänen sent a through ball to Driussi, who chipped Roman Bürki to tie the game at one.
Both sides struggled to create quality chances to start the second half, but in the 72nd minute,
an offensive explosion began. Diego Fagundez slipped the ball to Jon Gallagher, who sent a curler past Bürki to give Austin F.C. the lead.
Just six minutes later, St. Louis City S.C. equalized. Kipp Keller tried to play a pass back to Brad Stuver; instead, it went right on the foot of Jared Stroud, who blasted it past Stuver to tie the game at two.
Then in the 86th minute, St. Louis City S.C. regained the lead. Nicholas Gioacchini sent a through to João Klauss, who made a magnificent run down the right side before cutting it in the box and poking with his right foot off the left post and into the net.
Austin F.C. did their best to salvage a point and almost did in the 90th+5 when Driussi sent a header that struck the crossbar and stayed out.
Next up for St. Louis City S.C. will be their inaugural home game when they host Charlotte F.C. on Saturday. While Austin F.C. will look to bounce back when they host CF Montréal on Saturday.
Ben Palillo is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email bgp5079@psu.edu.
