The brightest of starts to the 2016 season gave the Philadelphia Union a 6th place finish, and its 2nd ever playoff berth. After finishing 9th in 2015, the Union were looking to rebuild off of what was a poor season. The acquisitions of Chris Pontius, Roland Alberg, Ilsinho as well as the rookies Keegan Rosenberry, Josh Yaro and Fabian Herbers boosted the Union in the start of the year, as the team held first place through week 16 with a 6-4-3 record. But something happened that summer. Things fell apart for the Union in the remaining weeks.
Blame game:
Following a 6-4-3 start, the Union fell off, finishing the season 5-5-11. Fans and pundits alike did their best to pinpoint exactly where the falling off began. Some attributed it to the Copa America, claiming Andre Blake fell out of form afterwards. But Blake put out some terrific performances shortly after accusations were made, silencing his critics. Others were quick to blame Ken Tribbet. But the first year defender was a mainstay in the Union’s early success, so it is impossible to claim his introductions weakened the team. But the biggest claim to the Union’s failure had to be the departure of Vincent Nogueira. The unimposing Frenchman left right at the 6-4-3 point in the season, showing a clear drop off in performances after he left. The Union did the best it could to fill the gap left by Nogueira. Playmaker Tranquillo Barnetta dropped deeper to fill the void left by Nogueira, meanwhile Brian Carroll and Warren Creavalle picked up the slack, filling into the center mid role. But despite the 3 talented midfielders filling in, not one could replicate what Nogueira brought to the team. The Union then brought in USMNT midfielder Alejandro Bedoya as the answer to its woes on August 3rd. The Union went 3-3-3 in the next 9 games, but never fully picked up form, losing its next 4 games, including a playoff game against Toronto. With a player of Bedoya’s stature, it couldn’t be a lack of talent in the midfield that held back the Union. Some will move to blame CJ Sapong, who scored 6 goals as the teams main striker in 2016. Those willing to blame the big forward will claim 6 goals isn’t enough to be a top team. However, Sapong brought so much more to the team than just goals. His hold-up play was second to none, as he was often the focal point of any attack.
So, with the list of who to blame exhausted, it is fair to say that perhaps it wasn’t any one players fault that the team had a bad end of the season. A cumulation of different factors added up, each contributing to a decline in performances in the long MLS season. It should be stated that the young Union team fought valiently, especially given expectations going into the season. With the bad thoughts out of the way, lets look to the bright parts of the 2016 season.
Youth:
With the 2, 3, and 6th roverall picks, the Union announced to the league that it needed to rebuild, and these three players would be crucial to its success. With the number 2 pick in Josh Yaro, the Union knew they had something special. The young Ghainain defender had proven himself a top player in college, earning himself the Generation Adidas title. He played 17 games for the Union, and likley would have had many more if not for injuries. Yaro started the year slow, adapting to the new level of play. However, as the year went on, Yaro became a brick wall in the back. He can keep up with the fastest forwards, and jump with the best headers of the ball. It will be exciting to see what he can do in 2017.
Keegan Rosenberry surprised a few, coming in as the 3rd overall pick. But the Union knew exactly what they were doing. Rosenberry was the only outfield player to play every single minute in the season, and was an integral part of the Union backline. Rosenberry perhaps didn’t get much recognition in 2016 from many outside the Union support, but he did end up winning the fair play award and notching 2 goals.
Fabian Herbers came as a suppliment to a stacked Union offense. He struggled, initially to find a spot in a front line that boasted CJ Sapong, Tranquillo Barnetta, Chris Pontius, Ilsinho, Sebastien Le Toux and Roland Alberg. He showed his true talent early on, however, in a substitute appearance against the Columbus Crew. His late goal, a beautiful curler into the far corner, boosted the Union to a 3-2 victory at home. As the season progressed Herbers became a full starter. He ended up starting 13 games, scoring 3 times and assisting 7.
Comeback kid:
Comeback player of the year Chris Pontius made waves for the Union in 2016. He led the team with 12 goals, also amounting 6 assists. He was the guy the Union could always count on to score a goal when they needed it, despite coming in from the wing. Pontius did it all for Philly, not only scoring precious goals. He ran nonstop on defense to help cover Fabinho on the wing, took on defenders and provided service for Sapong and Herbers, and even slotted inside, playing combinations with Barnetta and other midfielders. The Union will surely build its team in 2016 around Pontius as the main threat moving forward.
Fun to watch:
The Union can at least say one thing this year, that they were fun to watch. Keeper Andre Blake was always good for a worldclass save at least once a game, meanwhile the backline always wanted to play possession first, not opting to just hoof the ball forward.
Blake making a flying save.
Players like Ilsinho and Barnetta brought European flair to the team, as the Union played beautiful combinations in and around the opponents box. The Union were never the type of team that just sat back in defense, and hoped for the odd counterattack. Philly always tried to push the game to its opponent, even when playing away. This style resulted in some exciting games, especially for neutrals. Expect 2017 to go very similarly despite the Union losing Barnetta. Alejandro Bedoya or Roland Alberg should fill in for Barnetta nicely, providing similar flair and attacking qualities.
When looking back at 2016 it easy to point out where things went wrong for the Union. Having a 1st place berth going into July skews the actual level that the Union had. Without players like Sebastian Giovinco, Sacha Kljestan or David Villa it will be impossible for the Union to challenge those top spots for a full 36 game season. So all in all its safe to say that the Union performed right where many expected them too, if not overachieved. Now that fans and pundits saw what the Union can really do, expectations will be sky high for 2017. Don’t expect a first place finish for the U, but with such a young team, its safe to expect the Union to make the playoffs once again, and maybe this time make a run.
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