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MLS: 3 teams to have surprised thus far

By Andrew Dowdeswell

TEXAS CITY, TX - MARCH 07: Head coach Thierry Henry of Montreal Impact looks on during an MLS match between FC Dallas and Montreal Impact at Toyota Stadium on March 7, 2020 in Texas City, Texas. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
TEXAS CITY, TX - MARCH 07: Head coach Thierry Henry of Montreal Impact looks on during an MLS match between FC Dallas and Montreal Impact at Toyota Stadium on March 7, 2020 in Texas City, Texas. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images) /
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MLS, Montreal Impact, Thierry Henry
TEXAS CITY, TX – MARCH 07: Head coach Thierry Henry of Montreal Impact looks on during an MLS match between FC Dallas and Montreal Impact at Toyota Stadium on March 7, 2020 in Texas City, Texas. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images) /

The 2020 MLS season is two weeks old, and it will remain two weeks old for the next 30 days after the league announced it would be postponed due to the coronavirus. With time to reflect, then, here are three teams that have surprised thus far.

Major League Soccer will be suspended for 30 days due to the coronavirus outbreak. It is a decision that seemed inevitable from the moment the NBA suspended the remainder of its season until further notice, and, given the spread around the globe, it seems like the smart move.

So, with plenty of time to reflect on the first two weeks of the season, — and a desperate need to fill content — let’s look at some of the goings-on across the entire league thus far, starting with the surprising teams.

light. Related Story. New York City FC: 3 positives to take despite CCL defeat

Here are three teams that have surprised, one way or another, in the 2020 MLS season thus far.

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Ike Opara #3 of the Minnesota United FC is congratulated by Chase Gasper #77 after Opara scored a goal against the San Jose Earthquakes during the first half of their MLS Soccer game in the first half at Earthquakes Stadium on March 07, 2020 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Ike Opara #3 of the Minnesota United FC is congratulated by Chase Gasper #77 after Opara scored a goal against the San Jose Earthquakes during the first half of their MLS Soccer game in the first half at Earthquakes Stadium on March 07, 2020 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

3. Minnesota United

Last season, Minnesota United were a playoff team. And so, for many, seeing them sit at the sharp end of the Western Conference might not be all that surprising. It is not a million miles away from how they finished the 2019 season. But I concede, I had low expectations for Adrian Heath’s team this year and what they have done to open the year has made me look very silly indeed.

To put it mildly, Minnesota had a poor offseason. They lost Darwin Quintero without really replacing him, only added Luis Amarilla to succeed the incumbent Angelo Rodriguez, and failed to add to a squad that is already ageing and could break at several key positions, most notably at centre-back and central midfield.

But while I predicted the team might look a little stale after limited changes, the continuity has done them no end of good. Jan Gregus looks ready to take his place as an elite central midfielder, Ike Opara is still a Defender of the Year candidate, while Amarilla could be the real deal already. Add in Kevin Molino shining and Ethan Finlay looking fully fit and you have the makings of excellent team. Two wins from two, scoring more goals than any other team in MLS. Quite the start for Minnesota.

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