MLS Round-Up: Montreal Impact win their opening two matches

Admit it, you enjoyed the opening two rounds of Major League Soccer 2016.

A re-run of last season’s MLS Cup final between reigning Champion Portland Timbers and Colombus Crew started 2016 off the same way 2015 ended; with the Timbers beating the Crew. A fantastic overhead kick from Federico Higuain was the best goal of the game but it wasn’t enough to inspire his side to an opening day win.

Former Bolton, Wigan and St. Johnstone boss Owen Coyle put the disappointment of a last minute equaliser in their opening day 3-3 draw with New England Revolution behind them to thump Texas rivals FC Dallas 5-0 in their second game of the season.

Ignacio Piatti scored a double for Montreal Impact in a 3-2 win away to Vancouver Whitecaps, and then continued his impressive start to the season with the second goal for l’Impact as they thumped New York Red Bulls 3-0 in Montreal.

Montreal Impact’s Ignacio Piatti has made a fine start to the season with three goals in two games.

Jelle Van Damme, Nigel de Jong and Ashley Cole all made their MLS debuts for LA Galaxy as they opened against D.C United in LA. Despite taking an early lead, D.C struggled, falling to 4-1 defeat. Former MVP Mike Magee scored a fantastic chip to put Galaxy in the lead before winning a penalty, which was converted by Robbie Keane, in a performance that showed just why he was voted the best player in the league a few years ago at Chicago Fire.

Speaking of Chicago Fire, the opening MLS game shown to UK TV viewers was the Men in Red hosting New York City FC. New boss Velko Paunovic will have seen lots to build on despite his team losing 4-3. Following it up with a 1-1 draw away at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando gives Fire fans a little more cause for optimism.

Kaka’s Orlando side impressed in their debut season, but are still looking for their first win after two games. With a trip to Yankee Stadium to face Pirlo, Villa and Lampard on Friday night live on Sky, there’ll be a chance to see a really good match with some big names on show.

NYCFC followed up their win at Chicago with a 2-2 draw at home to Toronto FC. Sebastian Giovinco continued where he left off last year with two goals in the opening two games; including the equaliser at NYCFC.

Week three’s fixtures could be as unpredictable as the first two have. It might not be La Liga or the Premier League, but it’s certainly entertaining.