5 things we learned in MLS Week 7: Goals in context tell a bigger story

Week 7 of MLS action saw players across the league score plenty of goals, but this week, those goals told a bigger story. Some players scored introductory goals, while others broke records with their strikes. A handful failed to score, further compounding their team's misery.

Here's what we learned in Week 7:

Signaling the start of a new chapter

Scoring a goal is just part of a footballer's job, but goals, in context, can signal a milestone moment in a players' career. Take, for example, Seattle Sounders youngster Jordan Morris, who scored his first MLS goal this weekend. He has finally broken the duck, and with it, eased the pressure on his shoulders.

Goals can carry quite a significant message, and they can also make legends, too.

Shattering records, quick on the draw

When Orlando City newcomer Julio Baptista went down in the box in just 15 seconds of play, referee Baldomero Toledo pointed to the spot, allowing captain Kaka to score the fastest penalty goal in MLS history.

Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco also combined in the first minute of play for Toronto FC, with the Atomic Ant burying home a 58-second goal, the fastest in club history. He's two goals away from recording Toronto FC's all-time MLS record, and five goals away from the all-time record in all competitions.

Goals can make a player a record-holder in league history, as we saw twice over this week.

MLS referees can't keep getting it wrong

Speaking of Toledo, the ever-controversial match official made headlines once again, ignoring a handball on a late Kevin Molino goal, then awarding a penalty to New England for a non-handball in the box - but only after giving a free kick outside the box for said non-handball, before being told otherwise from his assistants.

Meanwhile, referee Ted Unkel made a meal of the late drama in his match, as Michael Parkhurst picked up a straight red card for his teammate Tyson Wahl's tackle on New York City FC midfielder Kwadwo Poku.

MLS refereeing has been a hot topic this season and while the league did eventually correct Unkel's mistake, the fact that the league has to make so many retroactive corrections is baffling in and of itself. Simply put, officiating in MLS has to improve, because this current crop of referees are getting things wrong way too often.

Should coaches drop struggling strikers?

The New York Red Bulls of 2015 and the New York Red Bulls of 2016 are two very, very different teams. This week, the Red Bulls dropped two results, giving the team a 1-6-0 W-D-L record to start the season. Bradley Wright-Phillips still hasn't scored a goal, though not for a lack of trying.

Meanwhile, Chicago Fire striker Gilberto can't buy himself a goal, and the Vancouver Whitecaps - though incredibly creative in midfield - can't get Octavio Rivero to finish off their impressive interplay.

Should these three star strikers be dropped, or should coaches keep faith in their front men? That's the million-dollar question in Week 8 and onward.

MLS needs to avoid a winter schedule

There's a reason MLS doesn't align itself with Europe's winter schedule, opting instead to play through the summer. That reason was on full display in Colorado this weekend:

Let's just stick to the summer schedule, shall we?