It's that time of year again. March is upon us and the MLS season is underway. This past weekend, several MLS teams faced off in their season opener, including New York City Football Club.
In their season opener, NYCFC pulled off a comprehensive 2-0 win against Sporting Kansas City. This was a clinical win by a team that finished second in the Supporters Shield last season. Sporting KC proved last season that they have a premier MLS defense that boasts two of the best defenders in the league, Ike Opara and Matt Besler.
NYCFC made many additions in the offseason that have them primed for a postseason run. The signing of the new designated player, Jesus Medina, has already begun to pay off with his second-half goal in the season opener. Other signings such as Anton Tinnerholm have shown tremendous upside.
For those of you who are soccer fans but have not given MLS a try, I implore you to make your way out to Yankee Stadium for a game this season. As a season ticket holder since NYCFC's inaugural season, I have witnessed first hand how the league has grown in the few short years I have been an avid fan of NYCFC and the MLS.
Not only has the quality of play improved, but also the acquisitions of teams in the MLS have seen many premier players join the league. Granted, the level of play is still not very close to that of the top European leagues. However, many young, promising prospects in world football are slowly beginning to see the benefits of playing in the United States.
Two prime examples: NYCFC's own Jack Harrison and Atlanta United's Ezequiel Barco. Jack Harrison's journey of starting in the Manchester United's youth academy, moving to the United States to play high school and college soccer, becoming a star with NYCFC and then being bought by Premier League titan Manchester City illustrates how a player can thrive and grow in the States.
Ezequiel Barco is another example of a player who was one of the most highly regarded teenagers in world soccer who has moved to the MLS. By transferring to Atlanta United, Barco can count on excellent coaching, lots of playing time and immense growth.
Additionally, the game day atmosphere of the MLS is something to marvel at. One of the things that have become clear to me is that the MLS has passionate fans of all ages. In my own experiences, going to NYCFC games have been nothing short of amazing.
The fans are loud and electric the whole match. Maybe that's indicative of NYCFC's supporter group, The Third Rail. Sitting in the supporter section for NYCFC games is some of the best times I've ever had. Not to mention... it's relatively cheap to get to games. Sit in the bleachers and I promise you will have a good time.
Having a local team to support is one of my favorite things about going to Fordham and being in the Bronx. Although I avidly follow my beloved Chelsea FC, there is nothing like seeing your team play live in front of you week in and week out. Home games are occasions I look forward to every week they occur. I urge those who are soccer fans to give NYCFC and the MLS a chance and if you are not a soccer fan, going to a game is a relatively cheap way to have fun and maybe come out a supporter.