I will be the first to admit that looking at the Major League Soccer standings right now I'm still a bit surprised by the leader in the Eastern Conference. Yes, the Philadelphia Union are still atop the Eastern Conference standings today with 21 points after 12 games. Their perfect record at home continues to be one of the best in their conference and they have a slight lead over New York Red Bulls by two points.
Philadelphia Union Can Prove Trophy Credentials Against Real Salt Lake
Philadelphia Union hope to earn the respect of the league with a big home win over Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
Getty Images
But the thing about their impressive start is, even today, no one is still taking them that seriously. I’d like to say I am, but I know that isn’t the case. I still expect more from them offensively and while they delivered that in a big way in Toronto a few weeks ago in an impressive 6-2 win, I still feel like something is missing with this side.
So far this season in big games against the Los Angeles Galaxy and FC Dallas, the Union haven't risen to the challenge as much as some would have hoped for. They tied LA at home 1-1 thanks to some heroics from Danny Mwanga but lost in both LA and at Dallas. The Dallas game was particularly frustrating for the club as their offense hit a new low and their defense gave up two goals in a game for the first time all season. Some fans even thought to themselves that this team was headed back into the direction of the club they saw last year during their expansion campaign.
In recent weeks things have turned around a bit for their offense. Mwanga and Sebastien Le Toux have come together to rekindle their 2010 form. It seems as though that ever since they moved Carlos Ruiz out of the way, the Le Toux-Mwanga duo continues to be one of the best in the league.
Let's also not forget how their defense has played this season. Peter Nowak has gotten more than anyone could have expected out of a bunch that has questionable depth all over. Still, he plugs away with guys like Michael Farfan, Gabriel Farfan, Sheanon Williams, and then the veterans like Carlos Valdes and Danny Califf continue to shine. Faryd Mondragon has been an absolute monster in goal for them as well.
Still, respect is lacking for Philadelphia but all of that could change this weekend with a win over one of the most respected clubs in MLS, Real Salt Lake.
We know RSL won't have Javier Morales in the midfield to create chances for their offense, or Alvaro Saborio to finish those chances. But, as we've seen before, RSL has the depth that people in MLS long for and have shown time and time again this season that guys like Collen Warner or Jean Alexandre can step up at any moment and carry this club when the big names are out.
It’s those little things that Philadelphia is looking for here in a game like this. They need that one extra guy to step up and help them earn some respect in this league. Three points against RSL will certainly do that. Not only will three points help them stay on top of the Red Bulls in the Eastern Conference but it will push them closer towards contender status for the MLS Cup this year. It’s the kind of win that makes you take a step back and go, “hey, this club is legit here”.
At the end of the day it’s not just three points on the line for Philadelphia, it’s everyone’s respect.
See More:
