If you listened carefully, you could almost hear the wind whisper, “Save the Crew” as it blew across North America Saturday night.
Columbus, rumored during the offseason to soon leave Ohio for Austin, Texas, ruined Toronto FC fans’ evening by bursting into BMO Field and upsetting the defending champions, 2-0. The Crew scored goals one minute before and one minute after halftime. The first was a half-volley struck by Federico Higuain, and the second a first-touch shot at the near post by Gyasi Zardes.
Columbus Crew goalkeeper Zack Steffen made two saves to start the regular season with a shutout.
It was a bad night all around for 2017 conference championship winners. The Seattle Sounders, who lost to Toronto 2-0 in the MLS Cup last season, fell to LAFC Sunday in the expansion team’s debut. Diego Rossi scored in the 11th minute at Century Link field to lead LAFC to its first ever victory.
Houston thrashes Atlanta
Atlanta United took a 4-0 beating in its season opener at Houston Saturday. Atlanta, regarded as at least a top-five contender entering the season, very quickly found that it had a hole in the middle of the field without a true No. 6. Houston exploited that gap to score all four of its goals in the first half.
Picault and da Silva suspended
Philadelphia Union midfielder Fafà Picault and Orlando City midfielder Pierre da Silva missed opening weekend due to three-game suspensions issued by the league to both players for “use of offensive language” in a Feb. 14 closed-door scrimmage between the two clubs.
“MLS has a zero tolerance policy against offensive, discriminatory language at its games [including preseason games and scrimmages],” the league said in a release, “and is committed to creating an environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity.”
MLS also fined Picault and da Silva an undisclosed amount.
Power rankings
Because we’ve only seen one weekend of league play, and because it’s fun, let’s jump to conclusions. NYCFC took the top spot in this week’s power rankings after a 2-0 win over Sporting Kansas City. The Houston Dynamo also impressed by handing Atlanta United a 4-0. Atlanta, wildly successful last season as an expansion team, will need to solve its defensive woes before making it into the top 10.
MLS Top 10<br>1. New York City FC<br>2. Toronto FC<br>3. Columbus Crew SC<br>4. Houston Dynamo<br>5. Seattle Sounders FC<br>6. Portland Timbers<br>7. New York Red Bulls<br>8. Sporting Kansas City<br> 9. Los Angeles FC<br>10. Real Salt Lake