
<p>Philadelphia Union star goalkeeper Andre Blake has blasted Major League Soccer (MLS), for scheduling too many games. But how does the number of games for Blake and his fellow MLS players compare to other players around the world?</p>



<p>Other than the FIFA Club World Cup it didn’t qualify for, Philadelphia has played in every competition available to an MLS team. Two of those produced runs to the final four. Now, Philadelphia is shaping up for another run in the playoffs.</p>



<p>“We’re the ones that are suffering, and the quality of the league is going to go down,” Blake told the <em><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/soccer/andre-blake-philadelphia-union-mls-schedule-leagues-cup-20231002.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Philadelphia Inquirer</a></em>. “Or, if you ask players to play however many games, obviously there’s going to be injuries, and when injuries come, then teams don’t have their best players on the field.”</p>



<p>However, Blake’s comments seem targeted at MLS. In reality, top leagues from across the world are constantly in motion playing in various competitions. The argument may still hold up that other teams also play too many games. <a href="https://twitter.com/raphaelvarane/status/1688461768991932416?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Raphael Varane</a> of Manchester United famously slammed the governing bodies for overloading the soccer schedule. Andre Blake is echoing those thoughts to help the players in Major League Soccer.</p>



<h2>Comparing too many games in MLS to other top leagues</h2>



<p>Granted, the Philadelphia Union is suffering from success. Playing well means playing more games to win more trophies.</p>



<p>The Philadelphia Union is fresh off a campaign where it reached the 2022 MLS Cup Final in a loss against LAFC. This season, Philadelphia will play 34 MLS games. It already played in six CONCACAF Champions League games. A third-place finish in the inaugural Leagues Cup meant seven games. Then, the playoffs are coming up, which could mean an additional six games. Tacking on a round-of-32 loss against Minnesota in the US Open Cup, Philadelphia could play 54 games this season.</p>



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<p>Several top teams in Europe are in a similar position, if not worse. Manchester City won the treble last season as just the second Premier League side to do so. City played 61 games last season. Even if Philadelphia maximizes its games, City is playing more games.</p>



<p>However, what is <em>not</em> comparable to the Union is the play in South America. Just like the Philadelphia Union, Brazilian side Flamengo plays in a domestic league, a nationwide tournament and a continental competition. However, the Campeonato Carioca, a tournament for all teams in the state of Rio de Janeiro, tacks on 15 games. By comparison, the Leagues Cup forced Philadelphia to only play seven games.</p>



<p>In total, Flamengo played a staggering 77 games in 2022. Granted, winning Copa Libertadores and the Copa do Brasil soften the damage of playing so many games. </p>



<h5>The Union vs. The World</h5>



<p>Here is how other top teams from across the globe compare in their most recent completed seasons to the Philadelphia Union’s current campaign.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>Club</strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>League</strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>Games Played</strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>No. of Competitions</strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>Trophies</strong></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Philadelphia Union</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Major League Soccer (USA)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">54*</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">4</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">0*</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Manchester City</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Premier League (ENG)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">61</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">5</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">3</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Flamengo</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/brasileirao-tv-schedule-and-streaming-links/">Brasileirão</a> (BRA)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">77</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">5</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Al-Ahly</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Egyptian Premier League (EGY)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">57</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">6</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">5</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Urawa Red Diamonds</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">J-League (JPN)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">52</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">5</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Boca Juniors</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Primera División (ARG)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">58</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">5</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption>* The Philadelphia Union has only played 45 out of a possible 54 games in 2023</figcaption></figure>



<p>If that depth is not there, teams run the risk of injuries. Notable players around the world have injuries related to fatigue. Barcelona midfielder Pedri played <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/how-playing-too-many-games-takes-a-toll-on-soccer-players-20211103-CMS-352199.html">52 games as a 17-year-old</a> in the 2020/21 season. He has dealt with recurring hamstring injuries since then that ruled him out of 62 games over three seasons. In Major League Soccer, Lionel Messi has <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/messis-balancing-act-with-miami-and-argentina-may-hurt-club-20230928-WST-459007.html">not had much of a break</a>. He missed recent games with injury including the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/race-is-on-to-get-messi-fit-for-us-open-cup-final-20230921-WST-457624.html">US Open Cup Final</a> against Houston. </p>



<p>Andre Blake said the league suffers as a result. That is certainly the case with Lionel Messi, who is such a driving force for the league’s popularity.</p>



<h5>Does MLS stand out for a different reason?</h5>



<p>One place where MLS may stand out is the distance teams have to travel on a regular basis. For example, in June and early July, Philadelphia traveled across the country. After a home game, Philadelphia traveled to San Jose, CA, before playing in Orlando, FL. It returned home for one game before traveling to Atlanta, GA. It finished a brutal travel stretch in Los Angeles then Nashville. </p>



<p>Travel is not a major concern in Europe as most major cities are somewhat close together. However, take Flamengo as an example. The Rio de Janeiro club had to play group stage games in the Copa Libertadores in locations that are a six-hour flight away. Urawa Red Diamonds may have a small domestic nation. However, continental action required the Japanese side to play a home game just three days after an away game in Malaysia. That is farther than any distance in the United States.</p>



<p>Andre Blake is well within his right to complain about the number of games in the world of soccer. It is a major problem, but it is not one that is exclusive to Major League Soccer.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire</em>.</p>


Andre Blake says MLS teams play too many games: Do they?

Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake slammed MLS for making players compete in too many games. This issue goes far beyond MLS.

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<p>September’s round of three World Cup Qualifying games netted the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) five out of a possible nine points. Realistically, it is not a terrible set of results. Especially when taken into account the fact that two of the three games occurred on the road in hostile Central American stadiums.</p>
<p>But, U.S. fans grew concerned with the manner in which the three games unfolded. Firstly, Gregg Berhalter’s squad played to a lifeless, scoreless draw in El Salvador. Secondly, just three days later, the U.S. dropped points at home in a 1-1 draw with Canada. Thirdly, things began to fall and sent flashbacks of October 10, 2017. The Americans trailed 1-0 at the half against Honduras, playing disorganized and lackluster soccer.</p>
<p>Fortunately for the USMNT, a scoring tsunami hit in the second half. In the end, the U.S. walked out 4-1 winners over the Hondurans.</p>
<p>Holistically, five points was a decent return for three games. However, many fans would see five points as a disaster for the upcoming October international break. Moreover, two of the three games are at home. The first one is in the Lone Star State, when the USMNT takes on Jamaica in matchday four.</p>
<h3>USMNT roster shakeup</h3>
<p>The roster for the USMNT lacks two prominent names that featured in the September slate of games. Both Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna will miss out on these three games with nagging injuries.</p>
<p>Further headaches for supporters abound with the United Kingdom government keeping their COVID-19 travel restrictions. The British government deemed a number of countries around the world “red list” countries. Anybody who travels into those countries must quarantine for 10 days upon their return to the United Kingdom, regardless of vaccination status.</p>
<p>Panama is one of those countries. It is also the site of the second of the USMNT’s three games this window. As a result, U.S. Soccer already stated Zack Steffen (Manchester City) and Antonee Robinson (Fulham) will not make the trip to Panama.</p>
<p>Also, John Brooks will miss the Americans’ three games. The center back remains sidelined with a back injury.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/09/24/where-to-watch-usmnt-players-in-europe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em><strong>READ MORE:</strong></em></a><em> American players currently at European clubs.</em></p>
<p>On a more positive note, Weston McKennie makes his return to the USMNT roster. The Juventus midfielder returns to the fold after his dismissal from camp in September for several violations of team COVID protocols.</p>
<p>Despite the rash of injuries to big name players, replacements continue to step up for the calling. The most exciting of these options come up front with two players who scored in that win over Honduras. Ricardo Pepi made his debut for the team in that 4-1 triumph, scoring one and assisting two. Also, Brenden Aaronson looks to bring his hot form from RB Salzburg into international duty. The Medford, New Jersey, native has five goals in 10 appearances for the national team.</p>
<h3>Scouting out Jamaica</h3>
<p>Jamaica struggled through their first three games in <a href="https:\/\/www.espn.com/soccer/standings/_/league/fifa.worldq.concacaf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying</a> this session.</p>
<p>Since the fall of 2020, Jamaica has three wins in 11 games, featuring seven losses. They reached the quarterfinals of the 2021 Gold Cup. However, the team fell to the US on an 83rd minute goal from Matthew Hoppe.</p>
<p>Their start to qualifying in September sank them to bottom of the octagonal. A 90th-minute loss on the road against Mexico preceded a 3-0 pounding at home from Panama. The Jamaicans drew 1-1 away to Costa Rica, which is actually a decent result. The U.K. government’s “red list” restrictions did not handicap the manager, Theodore “Tappa” Whitmore, this time. He recalls a mostly full-strength squad ahead of the game against the U.S.</p>
<p>Of the 20 players called up, five of them play for clubs based in the United States.</p>
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<table class="tableizer-table">
<thead>
<tr class="tableizer-firstrow">
<th>Name</th>
<th>Position</th>
<th>Club</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Andre Blake</td>
<td>Goalkeeper</td>
<td>Philadelphia Union</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Oniel Fisher</td>
<td>Right back</td>
<td>LA Galaxy</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alvas Powell</td>
<td>Right back</td>
<td>Philadelphia Union</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Devon Williams</td>
<td>Midfield</td>
<td>Miami FC</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Junior Flemings</td>
<td>Forward</td>
<td>Birmingham Legion</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The United States leads the all-time series against the Jamaicans with a record of 17-3-8. The last time these two side met was on July 25, 2021, in that Gold Cup quarterfinal fixture.</p>
<h3>Quick Hitters</h3>
<p>This will be the second time the USMNT plays at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, in two-and-a-half months. In that game, the U.S. knocked off Qatar, 1-0. That game was part of a long run of unbeaten games for Gregg Berhalter’s side. Furthermore, the USMNT is unbeaten in their last 12 games. Additionally, the team only has one loss in their last 22 games.</p>
<p>They look to continue that run to help their standing in the Octagonal, where they sit tied for third. Mexico is two points ahead of the Americans with two wins and a draw. Next, Canada and Panama join the U.S. on five points. Then, Costa Rica, Honduras and El Salvador are in a log jam at two points. Finally, Jamaica rounds out the standings on one point.</p>
<p>Thursday night’s game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET from Austin, Texas. Live broadcasts of the game will be on ESPN2, Univision, and TUDN.</p>
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USA earned 5 points in its first 3 games in World Cup Qualifying. Not a bad return, but there is room to improve in this USA vs. Jamaica World Cup qualifier

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Andre Blake"

Leagues: MLS

Andre Blake says MLS teams play too many games: Do they?

CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers

USMNT looks to improve on WC Qualifying against Jamaica