The Top Things to Watch as MLS Enters Week 2
Charlotte FC Set for Record-Breaking Home Crowd
Uniting the Carolinas under one team, MLS expansion club Charlotte FC is bringing the electricity for its inaugural home opener. The first-year club is tracking to surpass the MLS attendance record for a standalone match, when it welcomes nearly 75,000 fans to take in the sights, sounds, and MLS action of the Queen City’s newest jewel. With the atmosphere on 10, the opponent will be too, as Charlotte FC takes on the LA Galaxy and goal-scoring superstar Javier “Chicharito” Hernández at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, FOX / FOX Deportes).
As soccer in the South is cooking up its latest home field advantage, will record-breaking attendance be enough to help the newest club to its first win, or will Chicharito — who scored five goals in his first two games last season — follow last week’s game winner with another sensational scoring campaign?
The current attendance record for a standalone MLS regular season match is 72,548 set by Atlanta United on Aug. 8, 2019. The attendance record for a postseason match is 73,019 set on Dec. 8, 2018 during MLS Cup, which was also hosted at Atlanta’s home stadium.
Bruce Arena on the Brink of MLS All-Time Wins Record
New England Revolution head coach Bruce Arena is one win away from making more MLS history. The 2021 Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year honoree is tied with the award's legendary namesake for most regular season wins (240), as Arena prepares to lead the Revs against FC Dallas at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, March 5 (1:30 p.m. ET, MLS Live on ESPN+).
A five-time MLS Cup champion and four-time Supporters’ Shield winner, Arena is one of only two head coaches since Schmid himself to win the Supporters' Shield with three different clubs, including the 2021 New England Revolution, 2009 and 2011 LA Galaxy and 1997 D.C. United.
Chicago’s Newcomer Shaqiri Debuts at Soldier Field
The highly touted, highly decorated, and most expensive Designated Player in Chicago Fire FC history is set for his MLS home debut, as Swiss international midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri takes center stage at Soldier Field for Chicago’s match against Orlando City SC on Saturday (6 p.m. ET MLS LIVE on ESPN+)
As Chicago looks to hit a new stride this season, Shaqiri featured in the full 90 minutes of action last week, and his game-changing abilities that have led to 17 trophies – including UEFA Champions League and UEFA Champions Cup titles – will have Chicago’s home fans hoping to witness his first MLS goal on their home soil.
With 100 caps for the Switzerland National Team and appearances in three consecutive FIFA World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018), Shaqiri could bring the heat that Chicago Fire FC needs.
MLS Stars Deliver on Opening Weekend
From coast to coast, the stars shined on opening weekend with some of the biggest names in MLS putting up show-stopping performances.
- Carlos Vela (LAFC): With a hat trick straight out of the gates, three just might be the lucky number for a player showing more than glimmers of his 2019 MVP campaign that three seasons ago kicked off with three goals in his first three games.
- Javier “Chicharito” Hernández (LA Galaxy): Set to take on Charlotte FC backed by nearly 75,000 fans this week, the Mexican star that finished second in the 2021 Audi MLS Golden Boot race netted the Galaxy’s 90th-minute game winner in Week 1 to defeat reigning MLS Cup champions NYCFC. With five goals in his first two games last season, Chicharito will be looking to top his 17 goals from 2021 and lead the Galaxy back to their storied form.
- Dom Dwyer (Atlanta United): Finding a return to grace in his first outing for Atlanta United, Dwyer was a super sub who just might have earned himself a starting spot. His goal in first half stoppage time marked the first time since 2018, and only second time in his career, that the forward has scored in his first appearance of the season.
Dwyer Among Dynamic Debuts in Week 1
New faces in new places showed out in Week 1, with Atlanta United’s Dom Dwyer, D.C. United’s Michael Estrada and New England Revolution’s Sebastian Lletget proving vital to their team’s success in their respective season openers.
Coming on as an injury replacement in the 26th minute, Dwyer immediately made his impact felt in his club debut, quickly evading his defender and stinging a strong left past a diving ‘keeper to give Atlanta a 2-0 lead in the closing seconds of the first half. Dwyer’s goal, his first since September 21, 2019, extended the lead for the 5 Stripes, and with more than 200 total MLS appearances and 80 career goals, he looks to continue to provide another veteran presence to a strong Atlanta frontline.
In the District of Columbia, Estrada, a 25-year-old Ecuadorian forward, had an MLS debut to remember, registering a first-half brace in D.C. United’s 3-0 victory over expansion side Charlotte FC. He looks to continue his strong start at FC Cincinnati on Saturday, March 5 (6 p.m., MLS Live on ESPN+).
Acquired in a blockbuster trade from LA Galaxy in December, Lletget immediately contributed to the New England attack as the Revolution opened their Supporters’ Shield defense with a 2-2 draw against Portland.
In the 63rd minute, Lletget utilized a swift one-timer on a cross from DeJuan Jones to give the Revolution a 2-1 lead. He hopes to continue to make his veteran presence felt as New England opens their home slate this Saturday against FC Dallas (1:30 p.m., MLS Live on ESPN+).
Top Young Talents Turning Heads
The youth movement continues across Major League Soccer, with young stars making their mark on the pitch and others making headlines as they arrive to the first team.
On Monday, New York City FC signed academy product Maximo Carrizo (DOWNLOAD PHOTOS) , who at age 14 became the youngest player to sign a first-team contract in MLS history. Carrizo signed a Homegrown contract on his 14th birthday and is the seventh Homegrown signing in NYCFC history, joining Christian McFarlane who signed with NYCFC at 14 years, 234 days old last year. Carrizo’s contract surpassed the previous record signing of Axel Kei, who inked a contract with Real Salt Lake at 14 years and 15 days old on January 14, 2022. Prior to Kei, the previous record, established by Freddy Adu, was held for 18 years.
Just 14 minutes into his MLS debut, 17-year-old Atlanta United Homegrown Caleb Wiley punctuated his debut performance with an 89th-minute clincher in the club’s 3-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City. Wiley initially joined the Atlanta United Academy at the age of 11 as a member of the club’s inaugural U-12 team in 2016 and had steadily climbed through their developmental system prior to making his first appearance with the first team in Week 1.
Three of the top five selections in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas also made their MLS debuts in Week 1, including No. 1 overall pick Ben Bender, who closed the first-ever match for Charlotte FC, and fifth-overall selection Kipp Keller, who started and logged 66 minutes on defense while helping Austin FC to a clean sheet in their 5-0 season-opening victory over FC Cincinnati.
How to Cover the 2022 MLS Season
To assist in your coverage of the 2022 MLS season, the MLS Communications staff has provided the following media resources, all of which are available on MLSSoccer.com/Media-Resources:
For more information about the 27th MLS Season, visit www.MLSsoccer.com.
