The short answer to the above question is: something, but not everything.
After one weekend of MLS action, you've had a chance to ingest and digest quite a lot of soccer information and we're here to help you sort through it all. However, we're also here to remind you that the MLS season is a very long one, and one performance (either by a team or player) isn't nearly enough to draw a full conclusion. Keep that in mind before making any rash decisions that you could end up regretting later on.
Don't panic if your fantasy team didn't pull in a boat load of points this weekend. Just like you, the players are still finding their feet. Unlike you, they're also still working on their fitness. And you can't forget that you may also have a couple of players on your roster whose teams had the first weekend off. Remember, they're all going to play the same number of games by season's end.
Things got started with the Crew toppling Toronto FC. Having made the jump from the third division of pro soccer to MLS and scoring in his debut, it's safe to say that Adam Moffat was a pleasant surprise if you actually picked him for your team. But seriously, how many of you did? What was not a surprise was Toronto FC being kept off the score sheet. It could be another long campaign for the Canadians. Overall, be wary of anybody from north of the border (in fantasy soccer, I mean), as the Mo Johnston curse appears to be set to continue.
Then we headed out west to see everyone's least-favorite Mexican player (if there can be such a thing) come through in the clutch for Chicago. Blanco's beautiful strike just before the final whistle earned his side a valuable point on the road and left the RSL faithful headed for the exits feeling like they just suffered a loss. Obviously 'Temoc' is still here to play, and he's sure to produce a number of wonderstrikes for Chicago. On the other side of the coin, our first impression of RSL is that 1) they need their own stadium, as those football lines and astroturf are AWFUL to watch a game on, and 2) they still stink.
Next up was the MLS Cup 2007 rematch, which was fairly easily won by the Revs side that has no problem when the stakes aren't too high. Even without Taylor Twellman -- whom you don't necessarily need to ditch, as his injury appears to be fairly minor -- New England was able to find the net three times and alert Houston that they won't be sailing through this season without competition. Brian Ching was unimpressive for Dynamo, and though neither could conjure a moment of magic, both Dwayne De Rosario and Stuart Holden showed that they are still safe bets for some production later on.
Perhaps the next two top contenders for the title this year -- D.C. United and the Kansas City Wizards -- got things going at a Minor League Baseball park in the Midwest. Ouch ... growing pains can really hurt. The best bit of good news for K.C. fans was that Claudio Lopez doesn't appear to be on vacation. He scored a superb goal and created several other chances, so a wager on him could turn out to be a great investment. Carlos Marinelli was also impressive for the hosts. As for the visitors, it obviously wasn't their best game, but United have always been a better team at home, and we suspect the same will be true this year. Marcelo Gallardo is money, and Franco Niell had a solid debut. But where was Fred? Was Tom Soehn saving him for the CONCACAF Champions' Cup on Tuesday? It's possible, but the rest of the lineup seemed solid. He's on my fantasy team, and I'm going to give him at least another week or two to get back in the starting 11.
And then the Saturday nightcap. Lets just get this out of the way: The Galaxy were, as a friend and colleague said, atrocious. Granted, the penalty kick call was just as bad, but the Galaxy had nothing. Blame it on the elevation if you want, but they just don't look good. And when one of your three horses (or fish, I should say) in Carlos Ruiz sprains knee ligaments in the first game of the season, it just doesn't bode well. You don't need us to tell you, but trading Ruiz isn't an option. It's a necessity. As for the Rapids, lets see what happens when they're at sea level. We're still not sold, though the result was impressive and Terry Cooke was the best Englishman on the field.
The Sunday matchup between FC Dallas and Chivas was a good one. Two regular contributors from last season got the goals, FCD's Juan Toja striking early and Chivas' Maykel Galindo equalizing late. Hopefully Toja's form will continue beyind the midpoint this year. Ante Razov did not have a good game, but everybody has off days. And speaking of off days, lets hope that's what Duilio Davino had. Gifting teams with goals isn't normally what you want your key defensive addition doing in the first game of the season. But give him time to settle in.
And give yourself some time as well. Remember, you've only got a couple of trades to work with per week from here on out, so make the most of them. And don't forget, Rome wasn't built in a day. Unfortunately, new stadiums for RSL and K.C. won't be either.