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MLS Week 1: First impressions of all 24 teams

ByChristopher Dodson|
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 3: Los Angeles FC's head coach Bob Bradley prior to Los Angeles FC's MLS match against Sporting Kansas City at the Banc of California Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles FC won the match 2-1 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 3: Los Angeles FC's head coach Bob Bradley prior to Los Angeles FC's MLS match against Sporting Kansas City at the Banc of California Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles FC won the match 2-1 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
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MLS, Bob Bradley, LAFC
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 3: Los Angeles FC’s head coach Bob Bradley prior to Los Angeles FC’s MLS match against Sporting Kansas City at the Banc of California Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles FC won the match 2-1 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)

MLS Week 1 is in the books. And what a week it was, with all 24 teams making their league debut. Here are the first impressions of every single team.

Major League Soccer is back. And what a weekend it was to get things underway. Some sublime goals, only one team failing to score on the whole slate, and that team being the MLS Cup Champions, and a slew of enthralling finishes.

There were debuts, returns from injury, shocks and surprises. Week 1 of the 2019 MLS season had it all.

Here are first impressions of all 24 teams in the league.

SEATTLE, WA – MARCH 02: Leonardo Berton #6 of FC Cincinnati, hidden, is mobbed by his teammates after scoreing a goal during the first half ot the match against the Seattle Sounders at CenturyLink Field on March 2, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – MARCH 02: Leonardo Berton #6 of FC Cincinnati, hidden, is mobbed by his teammates after scoreing a goal during the first half ot the match against the Seattle Sounders at CenturyLink Field on March 2, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

FC Cincinnati

Leonardo Bertone hits a wicked ball, that is the one pure truth to come from this game. Manager Alan Koch admitted the game was more difficult than some players were prepared for, and that was especially true for Alvas Powell. He was beaten badly on the second goal conceded. Still, FC Cincinnati had their chances. In a season of firsts, it was promising that FC Cincinnati had their first lead.

Fanendo Adi voiced concerns about the lack of dynamic attackers this preseason. He himself only managed one shot on goal but did draw three fouls. Roland Lamah and Victor Ulloa are more offensive minded wingers than defensive workhorses. Lamah was worth the trade-off, while Ulloa did little to affect the game positively with his erratic passing. Eric Alexander and Corban Bone did not provide enough resistance in the midfield to spring many attacks.

Przemysław Tytoń did well in goal, despite the four conceded. He was frozen on Morris’ deflected goal and made the initial save on the second. His defenders lacked any anticipation or urgency to clear their lines. Once Seattle scored, FC Cincinnati fell out of the game before halftime going down 3-1.

FC Cincinnati faces nine playoff teams in the first ten games. Allan Cruz and Kenny Saief are quality reinforcements. FC Cincinnati is a team in the earliest stages of building chemistry and understanding tendencies. The tough opening schedule could be a blessing. Take these tough losses against the top teams now. Build a foundation, snag a few points, and be well positioned for a respectable season during the summer transfer window.

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