Checking in on the new boys of MLS

Chris Dailey

Founder, The Sports Court

 The MLS season is in full swing, almost 2 weekends in, MLS has already produced dozens of wonder goals and interesting storylines.​

Some of those storylines include a new team that wears green and black and a club in Miami that is proficient on the attack.

Here’s my detailed report on all MLS teams competing in their first and second season, seeing how these new clubs are doing in a super competitive MLS.



Inter Miami


Led by two members of the Class of 92, club owner, David Beckham, and head coach, Gary Neville, Inter Miami has come to find its true form.


After what some may call a disappointing season last year, Inter Miami lost an opening day heartbreaker to LA Galaxy. 


In a 3-2 game with the supporter section going crazy & the GOAT himself, Tom Brady, in the stands, Miami’s Robbie Robinson scored the first goal of his professional career. In the second half, Higuain scored a lovely panenka off a PK. 


However, Galaxy’s Chicarito and Sacha Klijestian combined for 3 goals and the Galaxy managed to pull away with a hard-earned W. 


Despite the loss, there were a lot of positives to take away from the game. And Miami continued to stay focused on the task at hand and beat reigning Supporter Shield champs, Philadelphia Union, 2-1. Both Higuain brothers scored for Miami, making it the first time that brothers scored in the same game in MLS history.


Miami is looking good and will continue to keep on rolling. Miami has a really solid all-around lineup, in the starting 11 and on the bench.  


For me, Miami is a surefire playoff team given the squad stays healthy. They’ve only gotten better 2 games in, and I expect them to keep that up throughout the rest of the season. 




Nashville SC
Nashville started the season with back-to-back 2-2 draws against Cincinnati and Montreal. This leaves me in a tough place.


Nashville had 31 shots, 13 on target against Cincinnati, but couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net more than two times. 


This was largely due to a heroic performance from Cincinnati's keeper, Przemyslaw Tyton.


Meanwhile, in the game against Montreal, Nashville came back from a deficit yet again, and out shot Montreal 18-9.


Randall Leal had an amazing game, tallying a beautiful assist off of a cross in the 53rd minute.


Nashville has shown signs of being a legit Eastern Conference contender, but they need to perform for 90 minutes.


If they played as they played for a combined 90 minutes out of a total of 180 this season, Nashville will surely compete for an MLS Cup.




Austin FC
I love Austin FC. The way the play is exciting and they have a really solid, MLS experienced squad. 


Led by head coach Josh Wolff, Austin FC lost 2-0 against LAFC at the Banc of California Stadium.


Despite the loss, Austin played well and showed that they can compete with the big dogs of the MLS.


Austin’s second game came on Saturday, April 24, at Dicks Sporting Goods Park in a game which many thought the Colorado Rapid would win.


The Rapids took the lead 36 minutes in following a goal off of a corner kick.


However, in the 59th minute, Diego Fagundez found the ball bouncing in the box after a save by Yarbough and he finished it with ease. This gave Austin the confidence to come back and score 3 unanswered goals, winning the game 3-1.


Austin plays an exciting product of soccer and can beat any team if they capitalize on their chances as they did against the Rapids.

Austin is finding their form and the players still only have 2 MLS games as a collective unit under their belt.
By mid-season, Austin FC will be a team that will surprise a lot of people and I predict them to qualify for the playoffs.

photo via ​https://www.kxan.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2021/03/Q2.jpg