Top 5 goals from MLS opening weekend

The 2016 MLS season has officially kicked off and it brought a plethora of goals to celebrate; more goals, in fact, than in any opening weekend in league history, as all 20 MLS teams combined for 36 goals, better than the previous record of 27.

There were plenty of late-game equalizers, penalties, and unique goal celebrations, and here are the five goals we rank best among the bunch from week 1 of 2016 MLS action:

5. Tommy McNamara kicks things off for 2016

The first goal scored in the 2016 season comes off the foot of New York City FC midfielder Tommy McNamara, and this curling, nothing-but-net finish was certainly worthy of drawing first blood. It proved to be the first of seven in this 4-3 result over the Chicago Fire.

4. Diego Valeri punches knuckle-ball through the Crew

It was billed as a rematch of the 2015 MLS Cup, but for the Columbus Crew, it was, once again, a day to forget as the Portland Timbers, winners of the title last season, came up victorious this time around, too. And, again, it was Diego Valeri who kicked off the party, scoring from a free-kick, as predicted by commentator Taylor Twellman seconds beforehand.

3. Diego Fagundez blasts one home from long range

New England Revolution hot-shot Diego Fagundez has been a mainstay of his team for the last three years, despite only being 21 years old. In that time, he's earned himself something of a reputation for the magnificent goals he has scored. This rocket against the Houston Dynamo builds on that budding legacy.

2. Federico Higuain gets on his bike

Columbus Crew star man Federico Higuain spent the offseason watching his brother Gonzalo Higuain light it up with Napoli, so it was only fitting that he made headlines on opening week, too. Higuain did exactly that with this self-serve bicycle kick goal, with the Argentine attacker flicking the ball up for himself before smashing it home.

1. Ignacio Piatti pulls off a reverse-Robben

Infamous Dutch attacker Arjen Robben does this one thing (and he does it often, and well) where he attacks up the right wing, cuts in, then slowly moves himself toward the middle of the box, lulling the opposition defenders before unleashing a powerful shot into the back of the net.

Montreal Impact attacker Ignacio Piatti replicated that feat in reverse on the left wing, smacking home a right-footed shot after hypnotizing the Vancouver Whitecaps' back four.