M.LS kicks off the 2023 season this weekend with 29 clubs ready to fight for the title. Major League Soccer welcomes St. Louis City SC, the newest team to enter the competition to fulfill the Director’s expansion plans.
Nashville SC wins NYC FC to start hostilities
The first MLS game was between Nashville SC and NYC FC. The Tennessee team emerged victorious. Walker Zimmerman was responsible for opening the scoreboard in the 34th minute. This was his first goal of the season. NYC tried to respond but hit a yellow wall. Jacob Schaffelberg closed out the game with Nashville’s second goal in the 80th minute.
Cincinnati Beats the Dynamo
Houston Dynamo’s delivery slump continues. Last season they were his worst team in MLS and this year seems to be no different. Héctor Herrera arrived to bolster the team, but the Mexican midfielder could do nothing to raise the level of the Texans.
Cincinnati struggled at the end of the first half, but they were better in the game. The Ohioans opened the scoreboard in the 19th minute with Sergio Santo and the match was tied in the first half compensatory minutes at Tate Schmidt. Early in the second half, Obinna Nwobodo gave Cincinnati the lead. After all, the score was 2-1.
Atlanta United win last minute at home against SJ Earthquakes
Mexico’s Gonzalo Pineda’s Atlanta United side pulled off a tough victory over the San Jose Earthquakes.
The Earthquakes struck their first blow early in the match, and with just 12 minutes to go, Jeremy Ebovis scored a goal to put his team ahead. Pineda adjusted and had most of the ball possession, but his team wasn’t sharp in attack.
It was the compensation minutes that Atlanta got paid for. Thiago Armada scored his two goals. Scored the opening goal in the 93rd minute and scored the winning goal in the 99th minute.
Charlotte FC lost at the last minute against New England.
In what was supposed to be the first 0-0 draw of the season, New England were able to score all three points from Charlotte as the game went into the closing stages. Henry Kessler scored the only goal of the match in his 89th minute, giving the Blues his Arena team their first win of the tournament.
Orlando City to face New York RB
Orlando City, coached by Colombia’s Oscar Pareja, scored an important win with a 1-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls. Orlando excelled over the course of the match, but lacked sharp attacking power: Penalties were needed for City to take the lead.
Uruguay’s Facundo Torres scored a penalty in the 56th minute to beat Carlos Coronel to give his side the win.
No problem for Inter Miami after defeating Montreal
Inter Miami made their debut against Montreal at Lockhart Stadium without any problems. England’s team, coached by Phil Neville, was more accurate in passing, especially in shooting on goal.
Serhiy Krivtsov scored in the 41st minute. The score was closed with a goal from Shaneider Bolgelin in the 76th minute.