The 2022 MLS season kicked off last night with Arsenal having two players who will join up with the squad in the summer in Matt Turner and Auston Trusty, yet for the latter, it was an opening day to forget.
The 23-year-old defender started for the Colorado Rapids in their away trip to Los Angeles FC, yet despite an off-season of immense change for the LA-based franchise, the hosts were in incredible form, with former Arsenal player Carlos Vela stealing the show.
The LAFC captain bagged a hat-trick and caused havoc for the Colorado defence all game as Vela’s side won 3-0 at the Banc of California Stadium, with Trusty having a nightmare of a match that will not instil hope and excitement into Arsenal supporters.
As per 90Min, Trusty received a 3/10 player rating with the Rapids centre-backs having one of the worst possible starts to an MLS season you can imagine, with the American youngster being played like a fiddle by the LAFC attack.
Trusty will be looking to shake off early MLS season rust for Colorado
Poor performances early in the season are hardly anything new. Arsenal themselves were rock bottom of the Premier League with zero points and zero goals scored after three games this campaign, and for Trusty, he will bounce back from this display for the Rapids.
Indeed, the MLS season is a long one where the goal for a club like Colorado is to finish in the play-offs, and these achievements are also managed in the latter half of the campaign rather than a strong start.
Whilst Trusty will feel embarrassed by being dominated by LAFC and Vela, who Arsene Wenger sold from Arsenal in 2012, the first game of the season is never a true indicator of how a player will perform for the remainder of the year.
The 23-year-old has a long season ahead of him and will likely regain his form before heading to north London in the summer, and for Trusty, he will be looking to shake off this nightmare MLS season opener as soon as possible.
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