The opening weekend of the 2024 USL Championship season delivered some expected results, some surprises, and a fair amount of late drama capped off by Orange County SC’s Colin Shutler becoming only the third goalkeeper to score in the league’s history.

Here are eight key storylines we took away from the action, and some other thoughts on what transpired.

1. HARTFORD DELIVERS ON DEBUT

As much optimism as Hartford Athletic had that this season would be different with Head Coach Brendan Burke at the helm and an almost-entirely new squad at his disposal, you could never quite be certain how it might come together until the season kicked off.

At first glance, Hartford is ready, and looks very similar to what we were expecting.

Romario Williams was impressive as the central striker, Michee Ngalina, Marcus Epps and Deshane Beckford provided the attacking support, and the visitors were able to ride out an early penalty kick by Williams to earn a 1-0 victory against El Paso Locomotive FC at Southwest University Park.

Hartford imposed itself early in the game as Williams drew the penalty he converted against Jamaica teammate Jahmali Waite, and the speed the side possesses arguably should have led to a second inside the opening 15 minutes when Ngalina’s half-volleyed finish went over the crossbar.

At the other end of the field, as much as El Paso pushed, Hartford’s defense led by veterans Joe Farrell and Thomas Vancaeyezeele held firm. While Locomotive had chances, they were often placed under defensive pressure, resulting in only two of the 10 second-half shots the hosts produced landing on target.

As debuts go, Hartford likely couldn’t be happier.

2. SACRAMENTO’S AMANN LIVES UP TO BILLING

In a squad as strong on paper as Sacramento Republic FC’s appears, there was a little bit of pressure on newcomer and 2023 USL League One Player of the Year Trevor Amann to quickly prove he belonged.

And while Republic FC’s home opener was spoiled in stoppage time by Orange County SC goalkeeper Colin Shutler scoring a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer to earn the visitors a 2-2 draw at a sold-out Heart Health Park, Amann’s performance was the biggest takeaway of the night’s proceedings. Scoring both goals for the hosts in contrasting manners, the 25-year-old showed off why Sacramento had made him a key target to sign last offseason.

“He's a goalscorer. He's a striker,” said Sacramento Head Coach Mark Briggs. “I think you saw his desire with the first goal to sprint into the box, to get on the end of the cross. And then his second goal – what can you say? It’s just a top goal. And he’s going to score lots and lots of those goals this year, but to do it on his debut, we're just really pleased for him and really pleased that we've got him on our team.”

Amann’s fit in the Republic FC lineup was evident, as was his nose for goal. His five shots were a game-high – which matched his total of completed passes – and gave Sacramento a central point to build its attacks around. With Russell Cicerone set to be available after his one-game suspension next weekend against Miami FC, how the two team up could be a treat to watch.

3. NEW MEXICO’S NEW ERA BEGINS ON FRONT FOOT

There’s been a history of positive home openers for New Mexico United, and in front of a buzzing crowd of 11,347 fans at Isotopes Park on Saturday afternoon the new-look hosts delivered against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC with a rousing first-half performance that paved the way to a 1-0 win.

With Marco Micaletto serving as a deep-lying playmaker, there was a confidence to the passing and movement for United that allowed them to dictate play to the reigning Championship Players’ Shield title holders. New Mexico Head Coach Eric Quill said in the first half he felt like the Hounds were chasing shadows, and after some near-misses – including a brilliantly-denied close-range chance for Harry Swartz, the pressure United was able to build paid off in a nicely take goal by Greg Hurst just before halftime.

The second half produced similar for United in terms of possession, but not in terms of chances, and that’s where Quill sees the potential for improvement in the coming weeks. Defensively, New Mexico held firm at the end, but as we saw elsewhere this weekend, that’s not always guaranteed.

“We’re so good with the ball when we want to be,” said Quill. “We’ve got to make sure that we commit to it, because the philosophy of the game for us is that we want to dominate the ball. We want to move the opponent around. We want to wear them out. But we need to be killers in front of goal and not let teams hang around. Because we've seen in this league a lot where if you let them hang around long enough, you get punished in the end, and they may grab a goal.”

4. VANOEKEL SHINES IN LEGION FC VICTORY

There’s a reason why Birmingham Legion FC’s shutouts are sponsored by Hero Donuts – on the next day of training, goalkeeper Matt VanOekel treats his teammates.

After claiming victory against defending Championship title-holder Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday night, those might taste a little bit sweeter than normal, but VanOekel is likely the player who deserves the most credit. The veteran’s eight-save performance helped Birmingham to a 1-0 victory on the road, keeping a good performance by the hosts at bay at Phoenix Rising Stadium.

“It was a very important match for us as the first one of the season, away at the defending champions, and we wanted to see progression in our shape and style and we felt that was the case this evening,” said VanOekel. “Everyone put in a ton of hard work, and we can be proud on the evening.”

VanOekel is one of Legion’s originals and is now tied for third in league history overall with 43 shutouts alongside Brandon Miller. With key saves to deny Edgardo Rito in the first half and Remi Cabral late on between Diba Nwegbo’s deflected shot putting the visitors ahead, he looked ready for a Birmingham side aiming for more consistency defensively this campaign.  

5. NEW-LOOK SAN ANTONIO IMPRESSES, FALLS SHORT

San Antonio FC was clear about its change in philosophy this offseason and in its season-opener was true to its word. Against Loudoun United FC on Saturday night at Toyota Field, it attempted (623) and completed (519) more passes in a single game, and Mitchell Taintor (99), Kendall Burks (95), and Carter Manley (91) attempted more passes in a single game by a San Antonio player since the USL Championship partnered with Opta in 2017.

What that manifested into was a showcase for Jorge Hernández as the reigning Golden Playmaker showed off his chemistry with the club’s new arrivals in Lucas Silva and Juan Agudelo, providing each assists on their goals in their SAFC debuts.

“Since I’ve been here in preseason, he’s impressed me,” said Agudelo of Hernández. “I’ve played with very good 10s. Jorge’s left foot is actually a dream to play with actually as a 9 and as soon as I scored, I said, “First of many, bro,” because I know he’s going to put it in. I’m very hopeful he stays healthy because when he’s on the field, I’m going to get chances, or whoever’s up there is going to get chances.”

And yet, in a throwback to a season ago, San Antonio wasn’t able to seal the deal. Despite playing for an hour with a man-advantage after Christiano Francois’ red card for Loudoun and holding the lead for most of the second half, SAFC didn’t press home its advantage. That kept United in the game, and when Florian Valot got a second-chance opportunity off a late clearance 25 yards from goal, his powerful low shot caromed in off a defender and earned the visitors a 2-2 draw.

San Antonio dropped 10 points from winning positions a season ago, having been almost watertight in their title-winning 2022 campaign. On a night of dramatic changes on the field this was a throwback that spoiled the night.  

6. MIAMI SHOWS CHANGE IN MENTALITY

Early on, there was the danger that Miami FC could get overwhelmed by visiting Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – the visitors went close on multiple occasions, including Jairo Henriquez hitting the post inside the opening 10 minutes – and even after Miami took the lead in the 16th minute through a fine second-effort finish by Andrew Booth the visitors remained on top.

Miami saw out a 2-0 victory after Manuel Botta added a late penalty kick, however, and felt like a side for which the offseason of change led by new Head Coach Antonio Nocerino had created the desired environment. Miami had to defend stoutly throughout – only 15.4 percent of the play was in Colorado Springs’ defensive third, compared to 40.9 percent in Miami’s – but it battled through.

Will Miami need to improve to keep securing results? Probably – the majority of its big chances came after the Switchbacks through caution to the wind in the last 20 minutes in search of an equalizer – but the enthusiasm and togetherness the side showed can go a long way.

“I am very happy for the players because tonight was an incredible performance,” said Nocerino. “I like the mentality, the physicality, the personality, because for me, it’s important. This, today, playing against a good team, with the good players, the good quality, so I’m very happy for my players. My players tonight played very well. I am happy for the players, because players, this is your moment. If my players are happy, I’m happy.”

7. MEMPHIS BREAKS OPENING DAY JINX

Memphis 901 FC hasn’t had the best history in its opening games of the season – you need only look back to last year’s home defeat to Loudoun United FC for evidence of that – so when Las Vegas Lights FC scored on its first shot on Saturday afternoon at AutoZone Park there could have been a sinking feeling of déjà vu sinking in.

But 901 FC responded in ideal fashion. A 10-minute spell of attacking pressure resulted in a close-range equalizer from Samuel Careaga, and then moments before halftime 19-year-old U.S. youth international Nighte Pickering delivered a piledriver of a finish from 25 yards that dipped under the crossbar and set the side on the way to its first opening-day victory in club history.

“I think we were mostly in control of the game,” said 901 FC Head Coach Stephen Glass. “We ended up falling behind with one break up the field. The more important thing was the response from the group of lads to come back and get in front before halftime. It’s a difficult thing to do and be able to hang on. First game is never easy. I don’t think the club has won one at home so it’s nice to get that monkey off our back and push on.”

Memphis was comfortably good value for its win. Aside from Valentin Nöel’s opening goal for Las Vegas the hosts allowed only one other shot inside the penalty area. With another home opportunity up next against Indy Eleven, there’s something to build on here.

8. OAKLAND’S MIDFIELD ADJUSTMENT TURNS TIDE

Oakland Roots SC scored the fastest goal of any side in the Championship on Saturday night as Jeciel Cedeño struck in just the third minute against Indy Eleven, but then the hosts were pinned back for much of the first half by Indy Eleven’s midfield trio of Cam Lindley, Tyler Gibson and Jack Blake.

The visitors at Pioneer Stadium might have considered themselves unlucky to not have been rewarded with more than Blake’s goal late in the first half to level on a sharp move and finish, but having got to the break level, Oakland took advantage of the chance to reset and introduced Daniel Gomez in favor of forward Miche-Naider Chéry, and it paid major dividends.

“We talked at halftime, we made some tactical changes, and obviously a sub at half,” said Roots  Head Coach Noah Delgado. “We got another player [Gomez] into the midfield and more of a possession base forward with Jesse [Cedeno] as a 9. So, [Gomez] coming in there and finding some gaps and giving good pressure, because I had four in the midfield, that tactical change I think worked out.”

Did it ever.

After quickly regaining the lead early in the second half on an enterprising piece of play by El Salvador international Bryan Tamacas, Oakland’s overload of the center of the park helped stifle Indy’s attacking threat. The visitors only recorded four shots in the second half, none of which tested Roots goalkeeper Paul Blanchette, to see out an impressive opening victory.

And now some other thoughts on what we saw this weekend…

- As if there was any doubt as to how Aaron Molloy is going to get the chance to cook for the Charleston Battery this season, his role as the central pivot all over the field in his debut against North Carolina FC on Saturday drove that home.

- Shoutout to North Carolina FC’s Rafael Mentzingen, who might be known better for his attacking play but did sterling work defensively against the Battery to help NCFC earn a point in its return to the Championship.  

- Las Vegas Lights FC had a clear identity in their playing style, and it should get more refined as they get more time together. The commitment to being in possession should pay off, and Valentin Nöel looked a shrewd pickup with his play in midfield.

- Opening day setbacks are never fun, but there was a lot to like about the way Phoenix Rising FC, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and Indy Eleven set up and played. Stick with the process and it should turn into results soon enough.

- Orange County SC’s two goals and three best chances against Sacramento came off corner kicks. There’s talent here, but it’s going to need to be more incisive in open play.

- Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC Head Coach Bob Lilley wasn’t happy with his team’s application in the first half against New Mexico United. “With any technical team, if you can't disrupt them, they're going to run you,” he said. “When we got players around the ball, they were able to escape with the dribble, and there should be cover.”