It’s the league that keeps on giving. We’re roughly twenty percent into the MLS season and we’ve been treated to a host of engrossing storylines that encapsulate the very best that Major League soccer has to offer, including Carlos Vela magic out west, a seemingly endless fan march in southwest Ohio, and a wondrous cathedral to the game opening in Minnesota. 

There have been equally dark moments, such as Kaku’s outburst in Kansas City, goalkeeping blunders, and multiple clubs being torn to shreds by Mexican opposition in the Concacaf Champions League.

With a month and a half gone and the picture becoming a bit clearer as to who could make a push for the title come October, it’s time to take a look at a few of the biggest surprises to date.

1. What’s going on in the Rose City?

Reigning champions Atlanta United could not have started their campaign in worse fashion, but they can point to a few positives and look to be growing in recent outings. Though they lost out on aggregate, a home triumph over Monterrey was the Mexican side’s first loss of the year and the Five Stripes grabbed their first three points of the season in a trip to New England to inch up the table.

Meanwhile, their 2018 MLS Cup opponents find themselves with nowhere to go but up. The Portland Timbers are winless and have taken a lowly point from six matches. Yes, Gio Savarese’s men have played every match away due to stadium renovations, but a closer look at the numbers reveals just how bad they have been in the air and at finding an end product. Their two goals from the run of play matches their current standing on the table.

Maybe a Mexican import can get things going on…

More reports indicate that Portland Timbers have signed Liga MX striker Brian Fernandez #RCTID #MLS https://t.co/u8FHPxux3p

— Jamie Goldberg (@Jamiebgoldberg) April 17, 2019

2. Sebastian Giovinco who? Toronto’s Resurgence

OK, I can’t say this about Toronto’s best player in history with a single ounce of sincerity, so I’m already sending my apologies to La Formica Atomica. After an abysmal 2018 season just a year removed from a title and receiving plaudits as possibly the best MLS team in history, it seemed like it couldn’t get any worse after the club and Giovinco failed to agree on an extension

If there’s one thing we can be certain of in MLS it’s uncertainty, year to year and even week to week. What’s happened so far in Toronto is pretty remarkable, even if it’s one of the latest instances of what this league is famous for. What I find striking is just how quickly Toronto have their weapons clicking, and much of their resurgence can be attributed to their newest Designated Player, Spanish playmaker Alejandro Pozuelo.

The 27-year-old joined from Belgian side KRC Genk in early March and has barely had time to lace up his boots, but he’s quickly announced himself as one of the most exciting and talented players in the league. Feast your eyes on this peach of a ball to tee up Jozy Altidore, the latest glimpse of a budding partnership that leads MLS in assist to goal scorer (4).

Stop us if you've heard this one before: @Pozuelo_10 ➡️ @JozyAltidore#TFCLive | #SEAvTOR pic.twitter.com/ypEfk7bsl6

— Toronto FC (@torontofc) April 13, 2019

3. Goalkeeping Struggles: Is Gregg Berhalter Watching?

Make no mistake, Sean Johnson committed one of the most egregious goalkeeping errors you’ll ever see in the entertaining 3-3 draw at Minnesota.

David Ousted and Sean Johnson might need a hug after this weekend. pic.twitter.com/LGhIi9iyZl

— Jason Davis (@davisjsn) April 13, 2019

The decision to receive the ball and turn with the outside of the foot (or attempt to at least) was questionable at best, even if he had pulled off the maneuver. While this is hopefully is the last of such mistakes, 2019 has not been kind to the shot-stopper overall. NYCFC have plenty of issues to sort out both in attack and defense, but 14 saves, 11 goals allowed. and a save percentage of 58.3 has Johnson near the bottom among his peers between the sticks.

A few hours south in the nation’s capital, Bill Hamid has produced a stellar string of performances so far with 22 saves and four shutouts and just might have a final word in who Berhalter elects to include in this summer’s Gold Cup roster.