Last week, I was invited (dared?) on Twitter to post on this site in response to taking exception to tBG's assertion that the Union were,"getting there". So let's take a look at what progression looks like:
EC | MLS | Pts | PPG | |
2014 | 6 | 12 | 42 | 1.24 |
2013 | 7 | 14 | 46 | 1.35 |
2012 | 8 | 15 | 36 | 1.06 |
2011 | 3 | 8 | 48 | 1.41 |
2010 | 7 | 14 | 31 | 1.03 |
Well, we can see right away that the Union regressed from 2013 in terms of points from 46 to 42. If we do not include the inaugural campaign(30 games instead of 34), the Union average a 6th place EC finish, a 13th for MLS at 43 points (1.26 PPG). Pretty much last season's results. More like stagnation than progress, but with 6 teams now making the playoffs, being 6th suddenly looks more appealing.
How else can a club show progress? Ambition is one, and the signing of Maurice Edu demonstrates it to some degree. Investment back into the club is another way, and Front Office supporters will quickly point to the new training fields as prima facie evidence that the Union are making steps. My view? These are basic level requirements to running an MLS franchise. Dropping sod over a parking lot is about as basic a training facility you can make. (In doing some research, there doesn't seem to be an aggregate of MLS facilities, but this thread comes close http://forums.bigsoccer.com/threads/mls-training-grounds-round-up.1989279/page-4 )
Well, how about attendance? Are we getting there with the fans?
Season | Avg Attendance |
2014 | 17,631 |
2013 | 17,867 |
2012 | 18,053 |
2011 | 18,258 |
2010 | 19,254 |
Um...nope. The Union aren't at "staying away in droves" territory, but they are moving towards "caught in his jet wash, in a flat spin headed out to sea" territory. If we use this site's average ticket price of $53 (http://www.brotherlygame.com/2013/4/16/4213526/tiqiq-philadelphia-union-ticket-prices-mls-2013-ppl-park) , that represents $380,222 annually the Union are no longer capturing (using the capacity 18,053 baseline). Or, you know, one of those DP strikers(Blas Peres, Dom Dwyer,Lee Nguyen,Gyasi Zardes,Cubo Torres all under that $). Funny enough, Bradley Wright-Phillips and his 27 goals cost RBNY $372,500 in guaranteed comp in 2014. So why is this important, glad you asked. Let's move onto the most important area, the Front Office.
- A)Keep on wishin' a deeper pocket comes along
- B) Vote with your wallet
1prog·ress
: movement forward or toward a place
: the process of improving or developing something over a period of time
That word just doesn't describe the team I've been watching.