With the MLS summer transfer window closing after the Leagues Cup group stage, countless players across the league are just beginning to make their debuts and get integrated into teams. It's time to take a look at how a variety of new signings fared in their first match(es) for their new club thus far.
Undoubtedly the most anticipated debut was for one Diego Rossi, who returned to MLS to play for the Columbus Crew following the shock exit of Lucas Zelarayan. Within mere seconds of his 58' entrance, Rossi put a low shot on frame that forced a save from Roman Celentano. Wilfried Nancy will have some decisions to make with Ramirez, Cucho, Matan, and now Rossi in the attacking fold. Rossi proved his goal scoring ability with LAFC and will look to reclaim that form with a true contender in Columbus. Also making his debut for the Crew was Rudy Camacho, who arrived from CF Montreal. He played one minute, completing a pass on each of his two touches.
Onto NYCFC, where two true debuts were made by both Birk Risa and Julian Fernandez. Maxi Moralez returned, but more on that later. Risa played from the start and went a full 90 in his first runout, passing at 92% and completing 74 passes, the most in the match. He won 5/6 duels, had 5 recoveries, 3 clearances, 2 tackles, and a block. Fernandez on the other hand looked lively, but unfortunately missed what was virtually a wide open net from a tough angle. Regardless of the miss, he is clearly a quick winger that will help NYCFC become more dynamic going forward. Mounsef Barkrar made his third consecutive start. He amassed just 20 ball touches in 79 minutes, yet somehow took 6 shots, missing two big chances.
DC United also saw two new faces in Gabriel Pirani and Jose Fajardo. Pirani, a 21-year-old Brazilian midfielder, played 79 minutes in his first start. He drew 2 fouls, completed 2 dribbles, and created one chance in a losing effort. Fajardo was his replacement at 79', but he only made 5 touches on the ball in his 11 minutes on the pitch. Fajardo finished 1/4 on aerial duels, though he did not get much of an opportunity to show much late in the loss in Harrison, NJ.
Wednesday's rescheduled game between LAFC and the Colorado Rapids saw plenty of debuts as well. The Rapids started their new DP striker in Rafael Navarro in addition to Sidnei Tavares at the AM. Navarro took two shots, one on goal, but ultimately had the fewest touches in the game with 34. He did, though, create 3 chances. Navarro also went into the book, as did Tavares. Sidnei Tavares was substituted off at halftime with the 'Pids down 3-0. Tavares made 3 splitting passes into the final third. He also drew 3 fouls and won 5/8 ground duels. For LAFC, Cristian "Kike" Olivera showed his face in the 64th minute. The Uruguayan winger beat Marko Ilic with a clean finish in the 83rd, assisted by Denis Bouanga. LAFC have good competition and depth at the winger spot. Their new #9 in Mario Gonzalez has not exactly impressed up to this point, he took 4 shots worth 0.92 xG and failed to score in his second match. Filip Krastev looked sharp once again, he looks like a real creator. LAFC are a force to be reckoned with at this point.
Now, onto some quick fire debuts. Prince Owusu got the start for Toronto FC up top, he put in a 60 minute shift with one shot on target from outside the box. TFC hope he can help solve their scoring woes. Bryan Acosta started and played 90 in the midfield for Portland in their 5-0 meltdown in Houston. He won 50% of his duels, was dribbled past twice, and made 4 interceptions. Sebastian Kowalczyk subbed on for the Dynamo at 73'. He passed at 91%, completed a long ball, a dribble, and won all 3 of his duels in his 20 minute debut. Memo Rodriguez's debut was highlighted by a 0.60 xG chance right in front of goal that he hit well, but Roman Burki of St. Louis denied with an incredible save. Memo played 58 minutes for Austin in a 6-3 loss, the score was only 3-0 when he left the game. St. Louis CITY on the other side of the field had a very interesting debut in Joakim Nilsson. Nilsson is not a new signing, he has been injured for the entire season thus far. The CB played 3 mintutes, completing a single pass. Nokkvi Thorisson played 9 minutes in his STL debut, passing at 4/4 and winning 2/2 duels. Xande Silva started for Atlanta United and played 66 mins. The wingers' 3 shots were all on goal, worth 0.30 xG in his team's 2-0 win. Additionally, Tristan Muyumba has been an absolute revelation in the Atlanta midfield. Richie Laryea started for a new Canadian team, the Vancouver Whitecaps. He played one half, showing his usual quality and winning all 3 of his attempted tackles.
A whopping four players in the league returned to a team they formerly played for during this window. The aforementioned Maxi Moralez started and played 90 for NYCFC at 36 years old. He created 5 chances in signature fashion in his first match since leaving for and returning from Racing Club. Jan Gregus replaced an injured Bongi Hlongwane in the first half, and scored for Minnesota United in his return to the club. Gregus made stops in San Jose and Nashville before rejoining the club he made 74 appearances with previously. Junior Urso was a 79' minute change for the Orlando City team he has a century of appearances for. After just 8 matches at Coritiba, Urso came back and completed 6/11 passes in his 11 minutes. The previous three players were quick returnees, unlike Vancouver's Sam Adekugbe. The Canadian LB came in at halftime, completing 10 passes into the final third, passing at 86%, and hitting the post on a free kick. He departed the Whitecaps back in 2016.
Lastly, an honorable mention goes out to two U22 Initiative debuts for Inter Miami CF in the US Open Cup semis. Argentine signings Tomas Aviles and Facundo Farias both saw their first action for a rejuvenated Miami side. Aviles played 78, passing at 95% and making 5 recoveries. Farias came in and played 62 minutes through extra time. He won 8/13 duels and drew 4 fouls in an intense cup tie. Miami have now added two players into the fold that will help them push for their second trophy next month, as well as the MLS playoffs.
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