Soccer <\/p>\n
With a record-setting 46 goals scored<\/a> on Matchday 1, there was no shortage of viable candidates for the 2025 season’s first Team of the Matchday presented by Audi.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Starters:<\/strong> Zack Steffen (COL) – Brayan Ceballos (NE), Miles Robinson (CIN), Rodrigues (SJ) – Diego Rossi (CLB), Brian Guti\u00e9rrez (CHI), Boris Enow (DC), Jayden Nelson (VAN) – Anders Dreyer (SD), Emmanuel Latte Lath (ATL), Lionel Messi (MIA)<\/p>\n Coach:<\/strong> Mikey Varas (SD)<\/p>\n Bench:<\/strong> Daniel (SJ), Marlon (LAFC), Cristian Espinoza (SJ), Pedro Vite (VAN), Marco Pa\u0161ali\u0107 (ORL), Tai Baribo (PHI), Jordan Morris (SEA), Petar Musa (DAL), K\u00e9vin Denkey (CIN)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n As was often the case during last year’s record-setting, Supporters’ Shield-winning season, Lionel Messi<\/a> rescued Inter Miami CF<\/a> at the death. The 2024 Landon Donovan MLS MVP provided two assists, including a perfectly weighted through ball to Telasco Segovia<\/a> for a 100th-minute equalizer in a 2-2, shorthanded draw<\/a> with New York City FC<\/a>.<\/p>\n San Diego FC<\/a> got their expansion season off to a dream start courtesy of an Anders Dreyer<\/a> brace and a perfect tactical gameplan from head coach Mikey Varas to knock off defending MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy<\/a>, 2-0<\/a>, in their house. MLS-record signing Emmanuel Latte Lath<\/a>, acquired this winter for a reported $22 million plus add-ons, also scored a brace to hit the ground running for Atlanta United<\/a> in a 3-2 win<\/a> over CF Montr\u00e9al<\/a>.<\/p>\n The new-look San Jose Earthquakes<\/a> laid down a marker with their 4-0 thrashing<\/a> of Real Salt Lake<\/a>. Center back Rodrigues<\/a> made the starting XI after scoring and contributing to a shutout for a team that conceded an MLS-record 78 goals last season.<\/p>\n FC Cincinnati<\/a> center back Miles Robinson<\/a> and New England Revolution<\/a> newcomer Brayan Ceballos<\/a> were similarly crucial in opening-weekend shutouts. Robinson showed why he’s a USMNT<\/a> regular in a 1-0 win<\/a> over the New York Red Bulls<\/a>, and Ceballos displayed calmness at the back during a 0-0 draw<\/a> at Nashville SC<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Zack Steffen<\/a> kept the clean sheet streak going in the Colorado Rapids<\/a>‘ 0-0 draw<\/a> at St. Louis CITY SC<\/a>, making five saves \u2013 including several from close range.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Boris Enow<\/a> scored D.C. United<\/a>‘s opener and anchored their midfield in a 2-2 draw<\/a> with Toronto FC<\/a>, while Jayden Nelson<\/a> contributed to every goal (1g\/3a) on his club debut as Vancouver Whitecaps FC<\/a> battered Cascadia Cup rivals Portland Timbers<\/a>, 4-1<\/a>, at Providence Park.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The Columbus Crew<\/a> rode Diego Rossi<\/a>\u2019s brace to a 4-2 win<\/a> over Chicago Fire FC<\/a>, canceling out Brian Guti\u00e9rrez<\/a>\u2019s pair of goals for the visitors. Rossi is now the fourth-fastest active MLS player to reach 100 career goal contributions, doing so in just 149 regular-season games.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nFull team (3-4-3, left to right)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Team highlights<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n