David Villa is off the mark for New York City FC in the MLS and in some style too.

The Spanish legend played a lovely one-two with Ned Grabavoy before perfectly placing the ball into the net. 

It helped set up NYCFC for a 2-0 victory over the New England Revolution at Yankee Stadium. 

[Twitter: @MLS]

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After getting off to a slow start in Week 1, Major League Soccer delivered plenty of excitement and interesting talking points in Week 2. 

A total of 25 goals were scored across eight games this past weekend. Four players were able to find the back of the net on two occasions. 

Due to the plethora of strong attacking performances across the league, we opted to select our best 11 from Week 2 in a 3-4-3 formation. 

The unconventional setup allowed us to make room for three of the top four forwards from the weekend, and it was able to help us highlight the midfield stars who scored as well.

Continue reading on to see which players earned a spot in the MLS Team of the Week. 

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MLS' national TV broadcasts attracted a significant amount of viewers on opening weekend. The league's official website published the ratings from UniMas, Fox Sports 1 and ESPN2. They're impressive numbers and, in some cases, broke records. However, it's too early to get carried away.

LA Galaxy versus Chicago Fire drew an average of 341,000 viewers. It's impressive considering the match kicked off just after 10 p.m. ET on a Friday.

ESPN2's broadcast of Orlando City SC against New York City FC attracted 539,000 viewers. This number surpassed any game on the network from last season by 100,000.

Fox Sports 1's numbers weren't as impressive, but were still impressive. Around 268,000 watched Sporting Kansas City face the New York Red Bulls and 289,000 viewed the Seattle Sounders versus the New England Revolution on Sunday.

Both games marked a huge improvement on NBCSN’s 2014 average of 142,000, per Paul Kennedy of SoccerAmerica. ESPN and ESPN2 generated a combined viewership of 240,000 last season.

Comparing last year to last weekend shows there's interest in the league across the United States. However, it was the first round of matches. Those are guaranteed to draw even the average MLS fan after a winter hiatus.

The 2014 season opener was watched by 330,000 people on NBCSN, according to SoccerAmerica. However, the numbers dipped significantly over the next three games on the network.

There were even a few matches that recorded a low amount of viewers in 2014 in Canada. Toronto FC barely cracked 100,000 for most of its matches after the team's first game in Seattle, per Chris Zelkovich of Yahoo Sports Canada.

Part of the issue is availability of channels on both sides of the border. NBCSN is not included in most cable packages, so it's harder for fans to watch games when it's unavailable.

Sportsnet ONE and Sportsnet 360, who occasionally broadcasted TFC, are also specialty channels in Canada. Toronto and the Vancouver Whitecaps were also shown on TSN2, which is unavailable on most standard Canadian TV packages as well.

Fox Sports 1, the new national broadcaster for MLS, can be viewed on most cable or satellite providers. Hence the numbers were greater than NBCSN's last season.

TSN's main network broadcasted Toronto FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps last weekend in Canada. It attracted a record-setting audience.

Airing games on networks everyone has access to can help attract casual viewers. However, most supporters of, say, the San Jose Earthquakes, probably wouldn't tune in to a D.C. United versus Orlando City match. Many fans only keep tabs on their own club and not the league as a whole.

This may change with time, and once more MLS games are aired on national networks compared to local ones, the viewership may continue to go up.

The viewership numbers from opening weekend may lead to better ratings in the future. However, fans should err on the side of caution, because with college basketball, MLB, plus the NHL and NBA playoffs, there will be plenty of competition for MLS.

Peter Galindo covers MLS and U.S. soccer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @GalindoPW.

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Matchday 2 of the MLS season begins on Friday with Orlando City SC facing the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium. 

The Columbus Crew take on Toronto FC in a Trillium Cup showdown, while FC Dallas and Sporting Kansas City square off in two of the marquee games on Saturday.

The weekend concludes with two potential thrillers on Sunday. New York City hosts the New England Revolution in the team's first MLS home game. The Portland Timbers and LA Galaxy will face each other in the final match of the day.

Here are the keys to every game on Matchday 2.

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Jozy Altidore's making a fast impact in his return to Major League Soccer. 

He scored two goals in his first match—a 3-1 win for Toronto FC over the Vancouver Whitecaps—but when scoring the final goal (a cheeky Panenka), he found himself on the receiving end of an all-too-common gesture of disapproval. 

The excellent picture captured by photographer Duncan Nicol quickly went viral. 

While the middle-figure salute is generally taken as offensive, in this particular case, it was well-received all around. 

For a league that's still growing, the prevailing theme of the viral photo was that at least they're watching (and obviously care). 

"I saw it online," Altidore told the Toronto Sun. "Someone asked what I thought. I thought it was cool. It captures what the game means to them, what the rivalry means to them." 

The fan was later identified as Whitecaps diehard Kirsty Olychick.

She admitted that it was just a natural reaction and meant no offense to the American international. 

Per the same Sun report: 

I don't think he even noticed I was doing it, nothing was said to me at the time. 

I am completely surprised at the reaction it is getting and, thankfully, most of it is positive. I heard he was amused by the picture and really that is all that matters. If I had a chance to talk to him, I would make sure he wasn't offended as it was nothing malicious. It is all in good banter. 

[Twitter]

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It's hard to imagine a club like the LA Galaxy as a team in transition, but that is the exact label being placed on the five-time MLS Cup champion at the start of the 2015 Major League Soccer season.

The Galaxy are currently in a holding pattern in advance of Steven Gerrard's arrival from Liverpool this summer. Gerrard is set to replace Landon Donovan, who retired after the 2014 season, as the club's third designated player. 

While Gerrard does not play the same position as Donovan did, he will fill the playmaking void left open by the United States legend's departure. 

In the club's 2-0 win over the Chicago Fire on Friday night, we saw a glimpse of the tactical setup manager Bruce Arena will use before Gerrard enters the fray. 

The decision that caught the most attention was the one to start Kenney Walker next to Juninho in the middle of the park. The pair were flanked by the duo of Stefan Ishizaki and Jose Villarreal. 

The spot next to Juninho on the pitch will be under a massive microscope before Gerrard's arrival because the Galaxy were forced to trade Marcelo Sarvas to Colorado to make room for their new No. 8. 

Walker did a decent job next to Juninho, but his replacement showed just how dangerous the Galaxy can be if Arena makes the right lineup decisions. 

When Baggio Husidic entered the match in the 63rd minute for Walker, he changed the complexion of the Galaxy midfield in a positive fashion. Within two minutes of him being on the pitch, the Galaxy struck the back of the net for the first time this season. 

Husidic's influence was also felt on the second goal of the night, as he headed a ball down to Robbie Keane in the penalty area. The 2014 MLS Most Valuable Player then proceeded to send a rocket of a shot past Chicago goalkeeper Sean Johnson to secure three points at the StubHub Center. 

If you look past the two goals scored by the Galaxy, you are able to get a true understanding of how the club will attack opposing defenses before the summer. 

Villarreal, a dangerous prospect on the left wing when healthy, provided a decent amount of pace in front of left-back Robbie Rogers. But he was not at his best in the first half, which led Rogers to make overlapping runs on countless occasions. 

Rogers was able to move forward into the final third with ease because of the lack of punch delivered by the Chicago attack. Against higher quality opponents, Rogers will be forced to stay back and defend more. When that becomes the case, the left winger in the 4-4-2 formation will face more pressure. 

Villarreal should keep his starting position for now, but it wouldn't come as a shock to see Husidic make the starting 11 in the near future. One of the best qualities about Husidic's game is that he is flexible enough to play in the center of the park, or on the wing. 

If Villarreal continues to thrive on the left wing, Husidic could be slotted next to Juninho to provide more of an attacking bite to the central midfield combination. In that scenario, Juninho would most likely drop back to a defensive role in a formation that could turn be shaped something like a 4-4-2 diamond. 

One of the things that eased the concerns of some regarding the Galaxy attack on Friday night was the play of Ishizaki. The 32-year-old Swede tore apart Chicago's Joevin Jones, who had one of the worst performances of any MLS player in Week 1. 

Thanks to Ishizaki's showing on the right flank, Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes received decent service at the forward position. There were times during the match where Keane dropped back into midfield in search of possession, but that mainly had to do with the play of Walker. 

One other option the Galaxy have is to start A.J. DeLaGarza on the right wing and push Ishizaki to the left. DeLaGarza, who started the 2015 season on the bench, played a vital role in an advanced position against Real Salt Lake in the second leg of the Western Conference semifinals. 

If Arena needs to switch up his game plan, he could call on the league veteran to start. DeLaGarza would also bring a defensive-minded approach to the pitch, which could help against some of the league's top attacks. 

Keane should be able to easily hit the back of the net on at least 10 occasions in 2015, and if Zardes continues his progression, he should be able to work well off the Republic of Ireland international. 

If the midfielders can hold down the fort behind them, Zardes and Keane will only have to worry about searching for chances in the final third. If they remain in the vicinity of the opposing center-backs for the duration of the match, Zardes and Keane should be able to make crafty runs off each other to create scoring opportunities. 

When certain matches do not go their way, the Galaxy will also be able to bring a physical presence off the bench in the form of Alan Gordon. A fresh body and strong hold-up play could hand LA an extra edge during the waning moments of certain matches. 

When Gerrard arrives for his Galaxy debut, the service will obviously improve since the current Liverpool player has proven time and time again that he is a genius when it comes to setting up his teammates. 

The teams facing LA over the final few months of the season will also have to worry about defending Gerrard while finding a way to deal with Keane and Zardes. If the forward pair can get their chemistry down before the Englishman moves to California, the trio could wreak a ton of havoc in the stretch run of the season. 

If everything goes as planned, the Galaxy might form a cerebral connection similar to the one formed by the players in the Seattle Sounders attack. If Gerrard does make that big of an impact on the Galaxy, we could be set for a legendary Western Conference Final between two of the top clubs in the league. 

While we may be a few months away from starting the Galaxy-Sounders comparison, there is plenty of potential for LA to match the terrific attack built by Seattle when Gerrard pulls on a Galaxy shirt for the first time. 

Until then, the Galaxy will continue to use a few different looks in midfield to adjust to the tactical setup of their opponents. 

Based off what we saw in Week 1, Arena should be able to use his assets in the right manner in order to remain near the top of the West. 

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90. 

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The first week of action in Major League Soccer may not be the best we see all season, but we did see glimpses of brilliance from some of the league's top players. 

Fourteen different players found the back of the net over the three-day stretch of games, including Robbie Keane, Kaka, Jozy Altidore, Obafemi Martins and Clint Dempsey. 

Based off their contributions to their respective clubs, all five of those players are high on the list of the top 20 players in MLS. 

This list will be similar to a club power ranking, as the hottest players in MLS will be closer to the top spot. As the weeks move on, cumulative performance will be added into our selection criteria. But for now, we are just judging these players off their Week 1 showings. 

Continue reading on to see who topped the first MLS Player Power Rankings of the 2015 MLS season.

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The 2015 MLS season began on Friday, with the defending champion LA Galaxy claiming a 2-0 win against a hapless Chicago Fire team at the StubHub Center.

Saturday was highlighted by Jozy Altidore's brace against the Vancouver Whitecaps in his competitive debut for Toronto FC. Four goals were scored in that game. The other five matches combined for just three goals.

Sunday provided some dramatic moments. Ten-man Orlando City SC salvaged a draw against New York City FC in front of over 62,000 fans at the Citrus Bowl in the teams' inaugural MLS match.

Sporting Kansas City and the New York Red Bulls tied, while the Seattle Sounders confidently defeated the New England Revolution in the final two games of opening weekend.

Here are 10 things we learned in the first round of regular-season matches.

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It is fair to say Orlando is pretty pumped for the MLS. 

A sold-out crowd of 62,510 watched Orlando City draw their first-ever MLS match 1-1 with New York City FC on Sunday. 

However, there were just 62,508 in the actual stands soon after Kaka's late equaliser, as two fans decided to jump out of the stands after the goal. 

Or as our friends at 101 Great Goals put it: "They turned into lemmings."

[Twitter, Vine, 101 Great Goals] 

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The opening weekend of Major League Soccer's 2015 season was exciting, encouraging and in many ways the spectacle plenty hoped it would be, with talking points, goals and drama aplenty throughout the 10 fixtures.

Orlando City vs. New York City typified that to some extent, with the two new MLS franchises playing out a late 1-1 draw at the Citrus Bowl in front of more than 60,000 raucous fans. David Villa and Kaka were the star names on display, but there was plenty more to the match than just those two individuals.

Despite not taking the win, the manner of the draw and Orlando's all-around approach will give fans reasons for optimism and excitement for the season ahead.

Playmaker

Kaka, No. 10, captain of the club.

The Brazilian legend was utilized correctly in his renowned role by Orlando, behind a center-forward and in spaces where he could collect possession and look to move toward goal. There was no "fitting in" of Kaka; he has been made the focal point for the team's progression and buildup play and the man to whom it will look to make the magic happen.

Even early on in the game when things didn't quite work out for Orlando, it was Kaka's intelligence and ability to spot gaps which led to almost-chances for Orlando. The team has a willing runner in Carlos Rivas, who provides Orlando with a fast-paced outlet to get in behind defenses with the knowledge that the Brazilian will spot him and try to make a pass.

Kevin Molino, who played wider, had a good scoring rate last season in the lower league. Runners off of the ball, ahead of Kaka, will be key to getting the best out of him over the course of the season and making sure he can be an asset on the pitch, and not just off of it.

It doesn't hurt, of course, that Kaka also scored the last-minute, heavily deflected, free-kick.

. @KAKA's first MLS goal. More highlights: http://t.co/qaFfsfpHXo #OpeningWeekend https://t.co/dQoR8ClKX4

Atmosphere and Encouragement

From pre-kickoff to the full-time whistle, the support inside the Citrus Bowl was largely impressive.

Amazing atmosphere @MLS @KAKA @OrlandoCitySC vs @NYCFC @glvou18 pic.twitter.com/JWJKkCEXaH

Drums, rhythmic and primal, provided the backbeat of anticipation even before the first kick of the season had been taken, highlighting an expectancy to attack, to chase success, to entertain. The 62,000 purple-clad Orlando fans, countless flags, one giant tifo and a scary-looking lion made for a great atmosphere, with support audible even when Orlando was down by a goal and had a man sent off.

As for the celebrations and cheers when Kaka netted his injury-time equalizer...that's what football is really all about.

Adulation, excitement, releasing pent-up frustration in one burst of yes. Kaka has played on the world stage and won every trophy imaginable, but at the very moment his first MLS goal hit the back of the net, it still meant everything to him.

91' Kaká's free kick deflects off the wall and into the net! We are level at 1-1. The Citrus Bowl explodes! You could hear that in Miami.

Of course, Orlando has much to prove and to work on after its first game in MLS, but the manner in which the team came back to take a point, and the fact that it was Kaka who nailed the equalizer, via a huge deflection, will keep fans excited and wanting more. 

2015

The season is long. Will Orlando still be getting 60,000-plus fans to come to its home games when it plays the Colorado Rapids in June? It remains to be seen, of course, but the expectancy of potential (and relative) success and the chance to see the likes of Kaka in action will play a part.

Orlando must find ways of playing well when he is injured or otherwise unavailable, and forge its own MLS-era heroes, but the early indications are positive. There is a support base here. There will be backing for the team, with many recognizable shirts and a fantastic location.

Finishing in the top six of the Eastern Conference has to be the obvious aim, even if that is shooting for the stars in the team's first season. As the campaign unfolds, Orlando's strengths and areas to improve will become more apparent, but if the feel-good factor surrounding the club endures, off-field support is one immense positive that nobody within the club, or indeed the league, needs to worry about.

Follow @karlmatchett

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