10 must-see Union matches in 2012
As the down-to-the-wire 2011 Eastern Conference playoff race demonstrated, every point matters in Major League Soccer. Still, certain matches stick out over the course of a season, for one reason or another.
As the Union head into their third season in MLS, there are stronger storylines than ever. Rivalries are further developed, there's a playoff loss to avenge, and the spotlight of national television is brighter than ever.
Here's a look at 10 matches on the Union's 2012 schedule that carry anywhere from a little to a whole lot of added intrigue.
March 12 — First Kick at Portland
Philadelphia's 2012 season opens with a bang. The Union kick off their campaign in one of the league's best environments, JELD-WEN Field. And after four months of offseason anticipation, no match has quite the same build-up. New acquisitions will have their first chance to contribute, early chemistry will be put to the test, and a preseason's worth of preparation will be fully on display. Major League Soccer's version of Monday Night Football is a perfect way to ring in a new season.
March 18 — Home opener vs. Colorado
Arguably the most glorious day of the year. PPL Park will re-open its gates against the 2010 MLS Cup champion Colorado Rapids, reuniting 18,500 members of the Union family. It may be a bit chilly outside, but that will hardly matter as the Union look to set the right tone along the Chester Waterfront. The Union are a perfect 2-0-0 in home openers all-time, 3-0-0 if you count the opening of PPL Park in July of 2010. A national NBC Sports audience will take in PPL Park's potent atmosphere and picturesque backdrop.
May 5 — at Seattle
There's a certain satisfaction that comes with silencing over 36,000 fans, exactly what the Union were able to accomplish last season in a 2-0 victory at CenturyLink Field. Seattle were undermanned due to injuries, so the challenge will be even steeper this season. Another nationally televised match, this one on ESPN2.
May 13 — vs. New York
When two fan bases enjoy each other's misery nearly as much as their own good fortune, you have the recipe for a true rivalry. D.C. United are close, but the Red Bulls have emerged as the Union's most anticipated — put kindly — conference foe. Philadelphia are 2-0-0 against New York in two meetings at PPL Park. The Union will look to continue their home success in yet another nationally televised contest. Noticing a trend here?
June 16 — vs. DC United
Philadelphia's second fiercest rival comes to town just over a month after RBNY. After improving by 17 points in the standings from 2010 to '11, United figure to take another step in the right direction this season under second-year head coach Ben Olsen. The better the two opponents, the better the rivalry — and the more critical it is to take three points at home.
June 30 — at Houston
Heading into the 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs, the Dynamo hadn't beaten the Union in four tries. That all changed when Houston took both games and the series by an aggregate score of 3-1. A measure of revenge will be for the taking when the two sides meet at Houston's brand new home, BBVA Compass Stadium, the league's 13th soccer-specific stadium.
July 4 — at LA
As the saying goes, to be the best you have to beat the best. In 2011, the Galaxy were clearly the cream of the crop in MLS, winning both the Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup title. Throw in some of the league's highest-profile names and the fact that the two teams will only meet once this season and you have the makings of a must-see showdown.
July 21 — at NY
The Union haven't earned a positive result in three attempts at Red Bull Arena (including a 2010 U.S. Open Cup play-in), a mini-streak they'll be eager to snap. After 1,200 Union fans traveled to RBA for the regular season finale in 2011, the intensity of this rivalry is only gaining steam. Not coincidentally, another nationally televised affair.
August 4 — at Montreal
It's always exciting playing in a new soccer-specific stadium for the first time — in this case newly renovated — and that's what awaits the Union across the border against the expansion Montreal Impact at Saputo Stadium. A reunion with former Union midfielder Justin Mapp and a match-up of two managers who were teammates with the Chicago Fire from 1998-2002 only add to the appeal.
October 27 — vs. NY
It really doesn't get any better than this. Provided the stakes are still high, a home match against your top rival in front of a national network audience on NBC is the ultimate opportunity to finish the regular season on a high. This will be the second of two meetings between these clubs at PPL Park, and third overall in 2012.