I’m stating the obvious when I say that how a team starts is a sign of things to come in a the season. If a team starts off strong, it’s an inclination that the team will be strong the entire season. If a team starts off weak, the assumption is they will stay weak throughout the season. Soccer is unlike any other sport in America. It’s system of how games count for the playoffs is unseen before in this country. Typically in baseball or basketball or football, they determine playoff seedings based on record. The more games you win and less you lose, you make the playoffs and have a higher seed. Very simple. But without ties in those three sports, it’s almost impossible to implement a points system.
Philadelphia Union’s First 10 Games of the 2016 MLS Season
We all know the scoring system in soccer across the world. Three points for a win, one point for a draw and zero for a loss. It’s a system that’s been used for most of professional soccer’s history in any country. A run of good form means a team earns a good amount of points in that span of games. Run of bad form means a team does not earn many points in a span of games. A run of good form is absolutely what the Union need to have for the first ten games of a season. Historically, they have never really been an early season team.
If you go back and add up the first ten games in each of the six seasons the Union have played, it’s not very impressive. Out of 60 games and a possible total of 180 points to be earned, the Union went 15W-16L-29L for a total of 61 points. Their best start was in 2012 when they went 5W-2D-3L for 17 pts. That also happens to be the only season the Union ever made the playoffs. Let’s say you were to compress those 60 games down to a regular season of 34 games. The Union would then have 9W-9D-16L for 36 points. In 2015, that would’ve put the Union in 19th place. In other words, only in front of a Chicago Fire side who had 30 points in 2015. That’s not a record to be proud of. We won’t know how bright the Union’s season will be until we see the results of the first ten games this year.
A quick note about these first ten games. Seven of the first ten games are against 2015 MLS Cup playoff teams. It’s quite possibly the roughest stretch of games they will face this season.
FC Dallas- The team opens up away on March 6th to a very talented Dallas team. FC Dallas is led by Colombian international Fabian Castillo, midfielder Mauro Diaz, newly acquired Mauro Morales and up and coming Mexican-American goalkeeper Jesse Gonzales. Dallas won the Western Conference in 2015 and an opening game away against them is not a good way to start the season
Columbus Crew- Columbus made it to the MLS Cup finals in 2015. A huge nightmare committed by goalkeeper Steve Clark set the tone for the game and they lost to the Portland Timbers in the final. Columbus’ attack led by Kei Kamara and midfield led by Ethan Findley will test the new and young defense of the Union. The first two games are not looking good so far
New England Revolution- March 20th is the regular season home opener for the Union and even though New England was a playoff team in 2015, the Union finally get the feeling of home field advantage. The Jermaine Jones drama is yet to be solved and he will not be with the team even if a deal is reached because of a six-game suspension. This should be a game in which the Union grab points.
Chicago Fire- The Union finally get a break as they face the Fire. The Fire have not made any significant moves or signings this season unless you count the drafting of USMNT member Brandon Vincent. This should mean additional points for the Philadephia.
Orlando City- Orlando is looking like one of those teams where you don’t know what kind of shape they’ll be in at the start of the season. So far it’s too early to say whether or not the Union gets any points out of the game. Orlando’s midfield is very strongly led by legend Kaka and Antonio Nocerino.
Seattle Sounders- A trip away to Seattle is always a tough game for any team. After the transfer of Obafemi Martins to China, the attack loses a step in pace. Clint Dempsey should take an even bigger attacking role this season and pick up the offensive production that was transferred away.
New York City FC- Andrea Pirlo and Frank Lampard make their first appearance in Philadelphia in this game. NYCFC is very talented up top with David Villa and Khiry Shelton, but the defense is still a problem. The Union should take advantage of this and the aging midfield of New York.
San Jose Earthquakes- Led by Chris Wondolowski, the team always competes in the western conference no matter the year. Still, this should be a game the Union win.
Los Angeles Galaxy- The Galaxy is by far the most talented team in the MLS. Stacked with players like Giovani Dos Santos and Steven Gerrard to name a few. A huge crowd will show up that night to see some of the world’s best in play. It will be tough to get points out of this game.
Montreal Impact- Montreal is a strong defensive team led by Laurent Ciman. The attack is led by Chelsea legend Didier Drogba and newly acquired Harry Shipp adds a lot of talent to the team. Expect them to cause the league, and the Union, some problems.
There are a number of tough games in the stretch, but if the Union can keep their heads above water early, it could lead to a successful season for the team.
