There was drama across Major League Soccer as the second full weekend of the 2024 season saw 14 matches played. Inter Miami are setting the pace at the top of the Eastern Conference while Phil Neville has enjoyed a good start to life at the Portland Timbers. Here are five of the biggest storylines from the weekend in MLS.
By Graham Ruthven, MLS Expert
Luis Suárez has come alive for Inter Miami
Luis Suárez still has it – “it” being a sharper eye for goal than almost any other striker of his generation. Questions have been asked of the veteran Uruguayan since joining Inter Miami with many doubtful that he will avoid injury and fitness troubles this year, but Suárez provided some emphatic answers in Saturday’s 5-0 demolition of Orlando City.
His first finish – a first-time, near-post shot from a Julian Gressel pass – was classic Suárez with his second strike also reminiscent of the sort of thing Barcelona and Liverpool fans grew accustomed to seeing. Suárez would have had a first half hat trick had it not been for a marginal offside call, but he did finish with another goal involvement and also got into an argument with an opposition substitute. Suárez has come alive in MLS.
Blizzard was snow problem for Real Salt Lake
A match between Real Salt Lake and Los Angeles FC eventually took place on Saturday after a two-hour delay for heavy snow, not that anyone could actually make out what happened during it. “I think I threw more snowballs at [assistant coach] Ante [Razov] than I did watch the game,” said LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo after a 3-0 loss in blizzard conditions at America First Field.
RSL adapted better and more quickly than the visitors. Andrés Gómez made the difference by registering two goals and an assist, but the conditions dominated the narrative just as much as RSL dominated the match. Players did snow angels on the pitch, fans celebrated with their shirts off and the referee drew 10-yard lines in the snow because his vanishing spray wouldn’t show on the pitch. Scenes – snowy scenes.
Miles Robinson is already showing his worth to FC Cincy
Miles Robinson gave FC Cincinnati their first win of the season with a finish from a Lucho Acosta corner against the Chicago Fire on Saturday, but the USA international showed his worth to his new team in other ways. Indeed, Robinson is already settling in as Cincy’s new dominant centre back with the 26-year-old impressive in all areas of the game.
Starting alongside Matt Miazga for the first time, Robinson was a commanding presence at Solider Field. FC Cincinnati have yet to concede a goal from open play in four competitive matches this season and their latest defensive addition deserves credit for his role in this. Robinson looks the part in orange and blue.
Lewis Morgan shows there’s more to RBNY than Emil Forsberg
Much of the early-season talk about the New York Red Bulls has understandably focused on Emil Forsberg. However, Lewis Morgan’s match-winning performance against the Houston Dynamo served a reminder of what the Scot can offer. Morgan barely featured for RBNY in 2023 due to injury. Now fit again and back in the team, he could be set for a big season in 2024.
Forsberg was influential in a free role against the Dynamo on Saturday, but it was Morgan who netted the winning goal in spectacular fashion. Morgan was RBNY’s top scorer in 2022, notching 15 goals in 33 games, and so his return to form and fitness could be impactful. “I feel like I’ve got some time to make up for,” said Morgan after the 2-1 win over Houston. He’s on his way to doing that.
A motivated Lorenzo Insigne is a game-changer for Toronto FC
Last season was a disaster for Toronto FC as they picked up the Wooden Spoon, so when an off-season overhaul of the squad failed to materialise many feared the worst for the Canadians. If new manager John Herdman can motivate Lorenzo Insigne to find top form, though, it could be a game-changer for TFC. This is something that could genuinely move the needle for them.
Insigne scored a stunning chipped winner away to the New England Revolution on Sunday, producing what might have been his best moment in a Toronto FC shirt. The 32-year-old was signed to be a difference-maker in MLS and he could still be that figure for TFC in 2024. Herdman must get more moments like Sunday’s cheeky chip out of his best player.
(Images from IMAGO)
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