Jay Ajayi went 0-12 with a -65 GD at today's eMLS League Series Two event in Portland.
That brings his overall eMLS record to 0-24 with a -126 goal differential. #DOOP pic.twitter.com/YdfOwaWu0Y
— Joe Tansey (@JTansey90) February 15, 2020
First of all, I would like to extend a formal apology to one of my favorite follows on the Tweety @ElParceroPhilly. Look away, my friend. This is a brutal blog.
How can I start this? First of all, I think Philadelphia’s 2019 was successful. I mean, how could it not have been? The best season to date for the franchise? That’s a win for sure. And the future looked promising for Philly. But a couple things have irked me this offseason. Some good fucking players have either been traded or let go. That jersey is so shit. The mascot is downright bad. Jay Ajayi is staining the Union name. And, well I think other teams have gotten much better since last year.
Records are meant to be broken.
The Good: Another 15 win season. You know, it feels kinda nice. The midfield was firm but also could play make. The defense was iffy, but not bad at all. Przybyłko was awesome before getting injured. What’s not to like?
The Bad: Not being healthy. Obviously, Przybyłko missed the playoffs. Fabian was injured. Apparently, Blake was also not 100%. Health hindered Philadelphia’s chance in 2019. That and playing Atlanta.
Philadelphia’s Spongebob Gif
How could this happen? A team that has only been going up in the last 3 years to have a below-average year? I hate to say so. I’m just not convinced. I will say that for sure for sure, decision day will be huge for Philly. It won’t be a “we’ll take it easy on decision day because we clinched a home game for the knockout round” type of situation.
Offseason Moves
Nothing but trouble here. Like I talked about earlier, some of those players out are iffy. Medunjanin was crafty in that 6 spot. Trusty was looking to be a promising duo with Elliot. Marco Fabian, I have a love-hate relationship with. He’ll do fuck all one game, and the next nets a 20-yard screamer. Admittedly, probably worth a too much, but at least offer him a smaller contract. Letting him walk does nobody any good.
I see those names in the “Transfer From” section and I’m having nightmares just trying to think about where those teams are. Here’s a pro tip, players in other leagues like Liga MX and Argentina do exist. You know other teams are doing so. Maybe try that out? It’s time to ignore that cousin that says, “Listen his Fifa rating is not that bad, who cares if it’s in Norway.”
Starting Lineup
This team is, well average. Monteiro and Ilsinho should be the ones to watch here. A battle of who will be upfront behind Przybylko. A betting person would say Ilsinho has got the experience and blah blah blah. What about his super-sub status? You can’t let that go to waste. No matter what, Przybylko will grind for 20 or so goals this season. The defense will be relatively good. And Aaronson will have a really good year.
Betting Odds
+3300 via Bovada
So +3300 is probably the official odds for teams that nobody knows how what will happen too. Philly Union will have a story of weird oddities. Close loses. Maybe, a trip to the playoffs. But it won’t end in a trophy.
Best Watches
In the year that Philadelphia got 7 nationally televised games, they got themselves one of the most boring jerseys in the league. Sure it has a snake on it, but it literally can not be seen from 15 feet away, no less on a television broadcast. I advise skipping their week one game with Dallas for their week 2 game with LAFC. A nationally televised game vs the defending Support Shield winners.
I also dropped both games vs their rivals whom(?) they eliminated from the playoffs last season. And Union’s second game vs the team that murdered their championship dreams last year. The Union ends its season with back-to-back home games which are super clutch. But prior to that, 2 home games in 8 games. Not great. No less when they go, @NYCFC, @Toronto, and @DCU in consecutive weeks.
Predictions
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFOracFClBg?start=19]
I didn’t really talk about Jay Ajayi, but it doesn’t take Nostradamus to know he will not be returning as a Union rep in esports. He stinks. But does that affect this Union team? I think his stank rubs off on this team. Apart from Przy, I don’t feel super pumped on the talent on this team. Monteiro is unproven. That second CB slot is not super established yet. Hell, even Bedoya is on the decline. I think this team is gonna have to fight like hell to get into the playoffs. And the lack of true depth means they will miss out. Sorry, not sorry.
Hey! If you hated this blog! You’re gonna hate the next 25 blogs! Be sure to check them out as I count down each MLS team from worst to first for 2020.