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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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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 12: Minnesota United forward Carlos Darwin Quintero (25) lines up a cross during a MLS match between D.C. United and Minnesota United FC on September 12, 2018, at Audi Field, in Washington D.C. DC United defeated Minnesota United FC 2-1. (Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 12: Minnesota United forward Carlos Darwin Quintero (25) lines up a cross during a MLS match between D.C. United and Minnesota United FC on September 12, 2018, at Audi Field, in Washington D.C. DC United defeated Minnesota United FC 2-1. (Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Minnesota United

Minnesota United won a road game, matching their win total from last season. On face value, this 3-2 result against Vancouver could be the most impressive of the weekend. The Loons roster saw more change than most this offseason but look to be on the same page early on.

Jan Gregus and Osvaldo Alonso at the base of midfield give the Loons a platform for possession that was non-existent last year. Darwin Quintero used that stability to roam the midfield and tease spaces in the final third. This free-flowing movement confused the Vancouver backline and gave the Ibarra’s (Miguel and Romario) more room and time to play through the channels.

Ike Opara was brought in to shore up the defense, but he spent too much time putting out fires. The communication issues will be worked out between Opara and Micheal Boxall, but in the mean time, Vito Mannone must do better to control his area. Francisco Calvo and Romain Métanire played exceptionally well as outside-backs. The incremental gains in the roster are starting to show up in the points table immediately. That’s always encouraging, even if the Loons may be destined to fall just short of the playoff goal yet again.

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