5 Things We Learned in MLS: Week 2

1. MLS Doesn't Owe You Anything (and that's a good thing)

Usually, in a normal professional soccer league, you can see results coming. A title challenge from Leicester City notwithstanding, you know who will be in the top three or four of a league, who will be competing for silverware, and who will be mired at the bottom of the table. MLS is not a normal professional soccer league, and thank the soccer gods for that, because this is way more fun.

According to the official MLS Week 1 Power Rankings, exactly one (!) team was victorious over a team lower than them in the power rankings, Montreal over New York, while six of Week 2's games ended in underdog victories. Some were close fought battles (like San Jose over Portland, or Real Salt Lake over Seattle) while others...not so much (R.I.P. FC Dallas). Week 2 was a reminder to everyone that nothing on paper really matters that much in this league, and whatever silverware you do or don't have does not determine your success. Game on.

2. Who Needs Drogba?

One of the only pre-season favorites that haven't slipped up is Montreal Impact, and they're doing it behind some stellar showings from Nacho Piatti, Dominic Oduro, and Harry Shipp. Piatti could be the most dangerous goalscoring midfielder in the league despite being named after a tortilla chip with liquid cheese drizzled over it, Oduro is putting away chances like he can actually dribble a soccer ball, and Shipp is finally not the only offensive piece that works in the midfield where he's playing. All of this is happening without Didier Drogba. Who knows what the Ivorian will do to the Impact's chemistry, but if they can maintain this level of play with him, watch out.

3. Houston Keep It Trill; Dallas, Not So Much

After garnering the support of Bun B, Houston native and member of seminal Houston rap group UGK (R.I.P. Pimp C always), the Dynamo went ahead and laid it on FC Dallas. And Dallas? They didn't exactly look like the breakout team of 2016 everyone predicted them to be. Caution: these highlights are ugly if you love hoops.

Dallas will inevitably bounce back from this (their offense is too good not to), but enjoy this, Houston. Back then, they didn't want you; now you're hot, they all on you.

4. Growing Pains

Consensus Rookie of the Year pick Jordan Morris hasn't exactly lit MLS on fire as many people thought he would, and Seattle are 0-2. Predictably, they're struggling with three forwards in a 4-3-3 who all are probably most comfortable in the center of the pitch. Now Morris (as well as Nelson Valdez) looks to have picked up a knock, and his status is a bit up in the air. Moving from a role as a true striker to a spot on the wing isn't a like-for-like swap, and Morris will no doubt need more time to gel with the position change in addition to his new teammates and consistently faster and more physical play than he's used to. However, anyone who thought Morris could waltz into the league and score goals by the bushel will no doubt be a bit disappointed in the rookie's start.

5. All of this Matters. Also, None of It Does.

Take a look at all of the things I just wrote. Take a look at the league table. Take a look at some highlight reels (I highly recommend Quincy Amarikwa's goal against Portland). Now, repeat after me: "It's only Week 2. It's only Week 2. It's only Week 2."

After two weeks of play just last season, Dallas was the only team with two wins, and New York City FC and Orlando City had a share of the Eastern Conference lead on points. Dallas finished an impressive season with no silverware to their name, and Orlando City and NYC both missed the playoffs despite early success and big money signings. Just because all of this stuff happened in Week 2 doesn't make it meaningless. But you also have to take it in with a grain of salt. The season is long. Fortunes change. Stick around for the ride.

Goal. Of. The. Season. Already. (via @foxsoccer): https://t.co/emQNNiTsth https://t.co/x8JXrb3bJo

— SB Nation (@SBNation) March 14, 2016