Photo: Rob Simmons

The MLS schedule for the Union this season has distorted all sense of time.

Thanks to an awkward start that saw the Union play just two games in the first four weeks, plus an upcoming World Cup break that compresses the June schedule, it both feels like the season has been going on for an eternity and like a complete shock that the Union are, as of this past weekend, more than a third of the way through the campaign.

Enough games have been played that we can draw some conclusions about who the Union are.

They are a stingy defensive team — allowing the third-fewest goals so far in the Eastern Conference — anchored by a budding star at center back, reinforced by a young but talented defensive corps and backstopped by the best pure shot stopper in the league.

They’re a team that shows flashes going forward, yet struggling to finish. With the highest-paid player in franchise history starting to settle in, the attacking spark so missing to start the season is appearing more regularly. Yet week after week it seems that they leave chances on the board, the xG-differential piling up.

They’re a team still searching for a cohesive set of personnel in the final third. Their wingers have been wildly inconsistent, with five players rotating through two spots with little success. Their striker is in one of the worst stretches of form of his career, and whether he can rediscover his form from last year is the cloud hanging over a recent stretch of good play.

And, yes, they’re a team that might actually grab a point or three in a road match.

With that quick summary in mind, let’s hand out some awards for the first third of the season. (Yes, it’s a ludicrous exercise, but that’s never really stopped me before.) We’ll also wrap up with a quick look at the top storylines facing this team as we head into the middle third of the season — and a gauntlet of difficult Eastern Conference foes.

The First Third Of The Season Awards (TM)

Most valuable player: Auston Trusty. The rookie center back has been everything one could hope for and more, playing every single minute so far as the anchor of the defense. Trusty’s blend of size, athleticism, and soccer IQ is rare in any player, let alone a 19-year-old kid. While Trusty still makes some of the mistakes you’d expect, he has an uncanny ability to recover and prevent any serious danger — while only picking up two yellow cards so far. Combining with Mark McKenzie to shut down Union-killers Ignacio Piatti and Bradley Wright-Phillips is just the latest evidence that Trusty is already a star. Honorable mention: Alejandro Bedoya, Keegan Rosenberry.

Most disappointing player: David Accam. When Earnie Stewart pried the Ghanaian away from Chicago Fire, few doubted that the 27-year-old with a track record of success in MLS would add a new dimension to the Union offense. Unfortunately, that dimension turned out to be the Phantom Zone. Accam has looked totally lost all season — unable to get involved in the attack and a total defensive liability — and lost his starting job as a consequence. Whether through some fault of the team’s tactical setup or some internal problem with Accam, he’s been nothing like the player Union fans were promised. Honorable mention: C.J. Sapong, Fabian Herbers.

Biggest surprise: Marcus Epps. Fifth in the depth chart at the start of the year, the 2017 second-round pick seemed like an afterthought heading into the season. Yet Epps has seized a starting job for his own in the last few matches, with Accam having forgotten how to play soccer, Fabian Herbers failing to impress, and Ilsinho better suited to a supersub role. The winger’s defensive game has improved over last year, and he retains his pace and willingness to attack. To hold off Accam, though, he’ll need to add more consistent finishing to the package. Honorable mention: Auston Trusty, Mark McKenzie, Cory Burke.

Biggest enigma: C.J. Sapong. Coming off his most consistent and productive year in MLS, you’d have pegged the American striker to follow up on that performance. Instead, Sapong’s play has been toothless in the extreme. His sole goal came in the first match, and his ten subsequent appearances have offered very little. Sapong is finding it very difficult to find the offense, with the “dirty work” that is essential to his game yielding little so far. It might be time for the banged-up striker to take a seat for a few matches. Honorable mention: Borek Dockal, Fafa Picault.

Best result: Union 0-0 New York Red Bulls. Sure, the Union have a few wins to their name, including one outburst over Real Salt Lake. But last weekend’s draw with Red Bulls is in a different class given the caliber of the opponent. The Red Bulls have been one of the best teams in MLS all year, yet Philadelphia beat their hosts away from home at their own game, coming just a missed penalty away from taking all three points.

Worst result: Union 0-2 Orlando City. The Union’s sole home defeat of the season came on national television. Handed an opportunity to challenge the narrative surrounding the team, Philadelphia instead capitulated, conceding two poor goals and then offering no fight in a punchless second half.

Four storylines to watch

1. The Stewart situation. As soon as this week, the Union may find themselves searching for a new leader, with Earnie Stewart finalizing a deal to join U.S. Soccer as general manager. Will the Union promote from within, entrusting the future to unproven Chris Albright? Or will the Union look outside the organization at someone like Ali Curtis? How a new sporting director will view the staff and roster is a question undergirding the rest of the Union’s season.
2. Struggling C.J. A striker who scores three goals in a full season won’t carry you to a playoff birth. That’s what Sapong is on pace for at the moment. Will Jim Curtin turn to Cory Burke, or will he ride his veteran until his form returns or until the heat death of the universe arrives? Will a move be made to bring in a new option up top? And will we ever see poor Jay Simpson again? (The answer to that question is almost certainly… no.)
3. Can the backline keep it up? The core of the Union so far, the youngsters in defense will face new challenges as they move deeper into the campaign. Can they maintain their form in the face of fatigue and a league starting to take notice? Will we see appearances from old mainstays Richie Marquez and Fabinho? Until the attack starts firing, the Union will only go as far as their defense can take them.
4. Winging it. Inconsistency has been the name of the game on the wings so far this year. Will Accam ever round into form? Can Epps and Fafa Picault cement their starting spots? To me, the intriguing option is Ilsinho, who’s looked lively in reserve action.