MLS opening fireworks
MLS opening weekend produced fireworks: Nashville SC displaced LAFC to top ESPN’s Power Rankings after a high‑scoring win, Sam Surridge’s hot start for St. Louis City has Premier League clubs watching, and multiple seven‑goal thrillers popped up in Charlotte, Frisco and Cincinnati. (espn.com) (theguardian.com) (goal.com)
Sam Surridge produced a hat trick on March 21, 2026 — penalties and strikes in the 28th, 55th and 67th minutes — as Nashville routed Orlando City 5-0 and pushed his MLS total to seven goals through five league matches. (espn.com) MLS named Surridge the Player of the Matchday for Matchday 5 after that performance, and Nashville’s club notes the team sits unbeaten across all competitions with a 6-0-3 run through mid‑March. (mlssoccer.com) (nashvillesc.com) Nashville secured Surridge to a contract extension signed in February 2026 that runs through 2027–28 with a club option for 2028–29, listing him as one of the club’s three Designated Players. (mlssoccer.com) Reports collected by transfer trackers say Premier League clubs are monitoring Surridge’s start and that Nashville rejected offers of about €6m in February, with outlets linking at least one Premier League suitor to scouting interest. (transferfeed.com) (theguardian.com) Matchday 5 produced three seven‑goal games: Charlotte FC thumped New York Red Bulls 6-1 at Bank of America Stadium on March 21, 2026 with Archie Goodwin scoring twice and attendance listed at 27,166. (espn.com) FC Dallas beat Houston 4-3 in Frisco on March 21, 2026 — Petar Musa scored the 86th‑minute winner after Logan Farrington’s brace in the opening 14 minutes — with Toyota Stadium attendance reported at 11,004. (espn.com) FC Cincinnati came from behind to defeat CF Montréal 4-3 at TQL Stadium on March 22, 2026, Tom Barlow scored his first goal for Cincinnati in the 80th minute and Kévin Denkey struck the stoppage‑time winner after Cincinnati played more than 30 minutes with a man down following a 60th‑minute red card. (espn.com) (fccincinnati.com)
