The 2014 Major League Soccer season didn’t start with a bang as much as it recovered with one; at least, on opening day. When Seattle and Sporting Kansas City, the day’s first game, went into second half stoppage time scoreless, the season’s first day seemed destined to stay cagey and congested. What followed throughout the rest of the day was a five stoppage time goals, three two-goal performances, and two clubs who exploded for four on their guests. By day’s end, the combative play that defined most of the season’s first game had faded into a distant memory, with Saturday’s seven games providing us with 21 goals.
When the dust settled, Houston sat on top of the Eastern Conference, with a strong opener from Will Bruin (two goals, one assist) leading the Dynamo to a four-goal win over New England. In the West, the Vancouver Whitecaps sit atop the conference, with two goals from Kenny Miller helping former Red Bull Carl Robinson rout New York in his head coaching debut.
Here’s how the rest of Major League Soccer’s opening day played out.
Seattle Sounders 1-0 Sporting Kansas City
A game short on chances saw the Sounders convert on their best one, with a stoppage time cross from Home Grown attacker Sean Okoli eventually producing Chad Barrett’s game-winning goal. With a CONCACAF Champions League from Liga MX’s Cruz Azul on the horizon, Peter Vermes was cautious with four of his starters, a decision that may have cost him Saturday at CenturyLink.
(MORE: Sporting Kansas City at Seattle: Takeaways from the opening game of MLS’s 2014 season)
Two goals from Federico Higuaín sullied the unveiling of a new-look D.C. United, with eight new starters producing little change from 2013’s record-setting results. With only 13,840 in attendance at RFK Stadium, United managed one shot on target – a disappointing omen for a team that scored 22 goals last season.
Vancouver Whitecaps 4-1 New York Red Bulls
A frighteningly dangerous performance from a deep and talented Whitecaps attack left the 2013 Supporters’ Shield winners embarrassed. Without Thierry Henry and Jámison Olave (both held out because of BC Place’s turf), Mike Petke’s team found itself down four before a late Bradley Wright Phillips goal provided consolation.
(MORE: Atlantic crushed: D.C. United, New York open the season with three-goal losses)
Houston Dynamo 4-0 New England Revolution
By the 23rd minute, Houston was up 3-0, with Will Bruin scoring the first two before assisting on Boniek Garcia’s contribution. Late in the second half, Omar Cummings came off the bench to cap Houston’s scoring, sending the Revolution home shocked by their opening day loss.
(MORE: Sixteen minutes, two goals: Houston’s Will Bruin has already put 2013 behind him)
Argentine playmaker Mauro Díaz drew an early penalty and provided the game winning goal after halftime, though an Impact team missing the suspended Marco Di Vaio stayed close with Andrew Wenger’s second half goal. With scores from Fabian Castillo and Blas Pérez complementing Díaz’s contribution, Dallas delivered the first win of the Óscar Pareja era.
(MORE: Rob Friend, Mauro Díaz give Oscar-worthy performances to earn Saturday penalties)
A slew of early chances for the Galaxy evoked memories of last year’s conference semifinals, with Real Salt Lake able to get to halftime scoreless despite two close calls for Robbie Keane (and a few tries on Jaime Penedo of their own). In the second half, Joao Plata’s goal 10 minutes from full-time delivered three points for Real Salt Lake, with a late penalty kick saved by Nick Rimando denying Los Angeles’s best chance to claim a result.
(MORE: Rare bad night from Robbie Keane costs LA Galaxy against Real Salt Lake)
Portland Timbers 1-1 Philadelphia Union
A strong return performance from former Toronto FC midfielder Maurice Edu helped the Union carry a 1-0 lead deep into second half stoppage time, with the Philadelphia Designated Player assisting on the team’s only goal. In the 94th minute, Gastón Fernández’s conversion of a Will Johnson corner (by way of Brian Carroll) gave Portland their 16th draw in 35 regular season games under Caleb Porter.
