All the latest from MLS as Matchday 3 gave us innovations, Lionel Messi’s 998th career goals, and another promising showing from new import Timo Werner.
By James Nalton
Have New York City solved a corner conundrum?
Thanks to the prevalence of set pieces in the English Premier League this season, much of the recent discourse has focused on that part of the game and how to solve the problems it has created for defending teams.
Some have gone as far as suggesting changes to the laws to counteract this new apparent set-piece cheat code, but, as is often the case, the answer lies within the game as it is, without the need for altering things.
Whether that is through referees applying the existing laws properly at set-pieces, or by teams changing the way they approach defending such situations, there are possible solutions for those confident enough to try them.
Many teams will have tried certain things in training in an attempt to better defend set-pieces, but none have been as bold as New York City FC.
We’ve occasionally seen, now and in the past, teams leaving one or two players on the halfway line, forcing the team in attack at the set-piece to leave some of their own defenders back to mark them.
NYCFC has taken this to the extreme, leaving half of its outfield players outside the box.
Pascal Jansen’s side trialed this new approach in pre-season and put it into practice in their early games in the 2026 MLS regular season.
They leave three players on the halfway line (one on each wing and another central) and two in midfield, not too far from their own penalty area, but certainly not in a defensive position on the edge of it.
This leaves five outfield players plus the goalkeeper in the box defending the set piece. In theory, it leaves more space for the ‘keeper to come out and claim the cross, while it also gives the team attacking the set piece the question of whether to mark all five of the players outside the box, or risk being caught on the counter-attack from the corner.
It’s too early to say whether this is a success, but there has probably been more upside than downside from this tactic for New York City so far.
Messi attracts record crowd in Baltimore
Lionel Messi may travel around the United States and Canada with his Inter Miami team, but it rarely feels like he is playing an away game.
This was the case once again against DC United this weekend, who moved their home game against Messi’s Miami to the larger M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore to accommodate the extra demand for tickets Messi’s presence can bring.
There were loud cheers when he scored Inter Miami’s second goal in a 2-1 win, as 72,026 spectators filled the stadium which is home to the Baltimore Ravens NFL team.
It was a record crowd for a competitive game for DC United, which is quite significant since, as one of the original MLS teams, they have been playing since 1996. It was also a record crowd for the M&T Bank Stadium, with the stated attendance outdoing any Ravens match.
The Messi effect continues in MLS, and Inter Miami have now won two in a row after that early hiccup against LAFC.
Biel enjoys Charlotte FC’s advantage
Having suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to LA Galaxy last week, and drawn with a so far underwhelming St Louis City side on opening day, Dean Smith’s Charlotte FC hadn’t enjoyed the best start to the new season.
That all changed this weekend against Austin, who had Guilherme Biro sent off in the 25th minute for standing on the leg of Idan Toklomati, even though it looked accidental.
Charlotte conceded shortly after, but dominated the game from then on, with Pep Biel leading the attack with two goals and 13 touches in the opposition box. His second goal to make it 3-1 was one of the goals of the round, powered in with his left foot from outside the area following great work from Luca de la Torre.
The performance in the dominant display against ten men makes him the player of Matchday 3 per the FotMob ratings.
Timo Werner and the Earthquakes
Not just a good potential band name, but a successful MLS pairing that spices up the league.
Werner joining the Earthquakes raised a few eyebrows. It wasn’t the obvious choice of MLS team for such a high-profile player, but with experienced American coach Bruce Arena at the helm, and Arena personally visiting Werner in Germany to present his vision for the team, a plan, and a transfer came together.
San Jose have not qualified for the playoffs proper since 2020 (they went out in the wildcard round in 2023) and have not won a playoff tie since 2010. This is not a team to which players will go from Europe for a safe option with a surefire chance of success.
But the Earthquakes are a historic team with a proper American soccer name (none of this United or City malarkey), and they could promise their new star a regular, key role.
Performing such a role to help a previously underperforming team to some kind of success can be a more attractive proposition to certain players than slotting into an already successful team.
Werner has hit the ground running. The running has never been an issue for the German, though, but he is already contributing to goals, too.
He came off the bench to assist one on his debut against Atlanta last week, and played the entire second half in Philadelphia against the defending Supporters’ Shield winners this week, playing a telling pass to set up the only goal of the game.
So far, it’s a good match, and the Earthquakes are one of only four teams to boast three wins from three at the start of the new season.
(Cover Image from IMAGO)
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