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MLS Week 1: First impressions of all 24 teams

By Christopher 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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New York City FC, Maxi Moralez
ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 02: Maximiliano Moralez #10 of New York City attempts to pass the ball past Shane O’Neill #12 of Orlando City during a MLS soccer match at Orlando City Stadium on March 2, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /

New York City FC

Dome Torrent likes to keep things interesting with his line-up choices. Going into halftime, NYCFC looked brilliant, 2-0 up and the game in full control. The flight home with only a point should concern Torrent. NYCFC took the lead, but the tactics led to NYCFC lacking possession and being outplayed for long stretches.

Torrent’s tenure so far has been underwhelming. Against OCSC, he watched his team become timid and give away cheap goals. Yet, he waited to make any changes. Torrent does not have a points cushion in the table this season. Experimental line-ups with Alex Ring and Maxi Moralez playing out of position could cost him dear.

Alexandru Mitrita looks worth the money, but he is not a striker. NYCFC still have a David Villa-sized hole in their starting XI. Moralez cannot lead the attack as a lone striker. Jesus Medina did little to inspire the team or threaten the Orlando City goal when he came on. Ben Sweat was poor, being shown a yellow card in the 19th minute made him more tentative than usual and allowed OCSC players plenty of time on the ball. This should have been a wonderful win for NYCFC. In the end, it only raised concerns.

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