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MLS: 5 teams who exceeded expectations in 2019

By Matt Coles

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 25: Carlos Vela #10 of Los Angeles FC celebrates his goal during Los Angeles FC's MLS match against Los Angeles Galaxy at the Banc of California Stadium on August 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The match ended in a 3-3 draw. (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 25: Carlos Vela #10 of Los Angeles FC celebrates his goal during Los Angeles FC's MLS match against Los Angeles Galaxy at the Banc of California Stadium on August 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The match ended in a 3-3 draw. (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images) /
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SAN JOSE, CA – SEPTEMBER 25: The Philadelphia Union starting lineup poses before the MLS soccer match between the Philadelphia Union and San Jose Earthquakes on September 25, 2019 at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA – SEPTEMBER 25: The Philadelphia Union starting lineup poses before the MLS soccer match between the Philadelphia Union and San Jose Earthquakes on September 25, 2019 at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Philadelphia Union

In 2018, the Philadelphia Union needed a victory on Decision Day to make sure of their place in the playoffs. This time, there was no such need. In fact, in 2019, the Union had a shot at taking top spot in the East, and had it not been for an almost blemish-free run from New York City FC towards the end of the campaign, they probably would have done so.

In the end, they finished in third place in the East, eventually ending the campaign nine points back, but they qualified for the playoffs for consecutive years for the first time in their decade-long history.

Kacper Przybyłko stepped into the goal-scoring boots for the Union this season. He bagged 13, and with the likes of Ilsinho, Cory Burke and Fafa Picault all around him, the side put up 58 goals in total, nine more than they managed in the 2018 campaign. It remains to be seen whether they can overcome a poor end to the season in the playoffs, but this was nonetheless a breakthrough campaign for Jim Curtin and his squad.

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