The schedule for the next phase of the regular season has been announced by the MLS. This has revealed the next three games for each team until the end of September. The format for the MLS cup playoffs for this year has also been released. In home markets, matches will continue to be hosted. However, health and safety protocols will be carried out, like regular testing of players, essential staff, and coaches. Travel restrictions have been placed on teams in the US. For example, a 14-day quarantine for US players entering Canada. Additionally, league 3 Canadian teams will have to stay in the US to play their next three matches, including a home match.
How has Philadelphia Performed so Far?
In terms of their performance in past matches, they have done really well so far. Out of the 25 matches already played, they’ve beaten most of their competition, sometimes immensely. For example, the 4-1 win against United at the end of August, or the same win against Montreal in September, not forgetting the impressive 5-0 win against Toronto at the end of October. There was also the 3-0 win against the New York Bulls in September, which is impressive, considering their odds alone. Philadelphia has only lost to three other teams this time around, but even so, these performances can’t strictly be classed as inferior. As the opponents each time only won by one point. In which case, this was Toronto FC, Columbus, and Portland in the more recent semi-finals.
How are the Philadelphia Union Performing this Season? Will they Reach the Final?
The format for the 2020 MLS Cup has been confirmed. Just like previous seasons, the playoffs of the Audi MLS Cup will consist of elimination matches which are hosted by the higher-seeded team. There are 18 clubs which are expected to compete, with eight teams from the 12 team Western Conference qualifying straight into round one.
Similarly, the best six seeds from the 14 team Eastern Conference will be the same. Eastern Conference seeds 7-10 will compete in matches: number 7 vs. number 10 and number 8 versus number nine. These matches help determine the remaining 2 teams from the Eastern Conference that will qualify for the round one of the playoffs.
Now that the Audi 2020 MLS Cup playoffs field is finalized, Philadelphia Union is expected to reach the final this season and perform well, with current odds of 25%. They were the Eastern Conferences number one seed and gained the Supporters Shield, the first time the club received a piece of silverware since becoming an expansion team for MLS in 2010.
With this in mind, it’s no surprise that Jim Curtin, Philadelphia Union’s MLS coach this year, has won coach of the year. He is believed to be why the team gained the Supporters Shield, despite the shortened season, and achieved an all-time league-best of 14-4-5.
The team is now at the top of the league, thanks to averaging 2.04 points per game. Curtin attributed this as the entire team going onto the field and giving it their best. Subsequently, he also attributes it to the fact players have the ideal environment to grow, learn, and improve.
Aside from the team’s strong performance, the sport’s backing has also become much more robust, with more citizens in the USA showing an interest in soccer. In the USA, soccer has always had to compete with American football, a sport which is immensely popular amongst all states. However, now that states like Michigan and Philadelphia have legalized sports betting, it has made soccer a more attractive sport with more people now following soccer matches. A lot of citizens in certain areas are much more likely to show more substantial support and loyalty to their teams. Something which may well be the case with Philadelphia, and indeed for other sports teams throughout the US. Has the backing of local citizens spurred the team on to perform well this year?
Is Philadelphia Likely to Win the MLS Trophy, or Could it be Another Team?
Despite Philadelphia’s strong performance this year, other teams are faring equally well. Such as the New York Bulls and LAFC, who both got through to the conference finals. New York City FC also has strong odds to take home the MLS Cup at 12% and is the conference’s number five seed.
There are other Western Conference teams with double-digit odds, for example, Seattle at 11% and Kansas City at 10%.
Something else to look out for is whether a rematch occurs between Toronto and Seattle. But considering that the Reds have odds of only 6%, we’ll leave you to make your own mind up.
Nevertheless, the Philadelphia Union still has the highest odds out of any team at 25%. Above the next possible winner, these odds remain heads and shoulders, which is the Seattle Sounders, at 11%. As Philadelphia hasn’t won the MLS trophy before, this would be their first.
