A classic in California, an annihilation in Austin, and Bruce becomes the best in MLS. What stood out in week 2 of the 2022 season?

Earthquakes come back from the dead

When ten-man San Jose were down 3-1 with ten minutes to go, nit even the most ardent supporter would have expected them to get anything from their game against the Columbus Crew.

The Crew looked set to make it two wins on the spin after last weekends success against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Their talisman Lucas Zelarayan had scored two wonderful goals to put Caleb Porter's side in a comfortable position with 80 minutes on the clock. Especially taking into account that Jamiro Monteiro had been sent off for the hosts midway through the first half.

But new signing Francisco Calvo had other ideas. First pulling one back in the 84th minute before scoring an equaliser just as the referee was about to signal for full time. This sent PayPal Park into rapture as their team picked up an unlikely point.

Morgan announces himself in New York

Lewis Morgan arrived at the New York Red Bulls with a reputation for being one of Inter Miami's better players in a turbulent few seasons in Florida. After making his debut last weekend against the Earthquakes. Morgan truly announced his arrival during the trip to Toronto FC.

The Scot who only scored twice last campaign, overtook that tally in one game. Putting three past a hapless Toronto defence and giving Gerhard Struber's team a second consecutive win on the road to kick off 2022.

As for Toronto and Bob Bradley, his home opener could have gone slightly better, to be fair.

Austin cant stop scoring

Ok, they have played against two extremely poor teams in FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami, but to score ten goals in their opening two games is extremely impressive for Austin. As Josh Wolff's side sent out a message to the rest of the Western Conference to take them seriously this year.

Sebastian Driussi and Cecilio Dominguez are in sparkling form while Maxi Urruti adds a presence up top. Even MLS veteran Ethan Finlay came off the bench to score twice and can certainly offer an alternative going forward. However, there will be tougher tests to come and it will be interesting to see how this outfit performs when on the road against stronger opponents.

As for Phil Neville's Miami, it was embarrassing. Initially they tried to stay compact and frustrate the hosts but after Driussi and Julio Cascante scored right before the half hour mark they looked completely devoid of ideas. For 60 minutes, there was zero game plan other than watching Gonzalo Higuaín trudge through the Texas heat trying to put the Austin defence under as little pressure as possible.

Bruce becomes the best

Bruce Arena has been an MLS manager for as long as many of the current bunch of players have been alive. Taking over D.C. United in 1996, he has gone on to manage New York Red Bulls, USMNT, LA Galaxy and his current club the New England Revolution. Winning five MLS Cups and two Supporters Shields along the way.

On Saturday he became the manager in MLS with the most career wins overtaking the late great Sigi Schmid as he reached 241 victories. His latest one came against FC Dallas as the Revolution beat their Texas counterparts 1-0 thanks to a Carles Gil penalty.

In typical Arena fashion it wasn't the flashiest of wins but one that gets their 2022 campaign underway.

Charlotte FC break a record

Saturday's game versus the LA Galaxy was only Charlotte's second match in their existence but they have already broken a record with the highest attendance in MLS history.

A crowd of 74,479 witnessed Charlotte's opening match at the Bank of America Stadium (home of the Carolina Panthers). This also happened to be the largest attendance across world football last weekend. Unfortunately for Charlotte, the result dampened the occasion as LA Galaxy youngster Efrain Alvarez scored a thumping goal from outside of the penalty area to send the three points to Los Angeles.

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