⚽️ More Bang For Their Buck

_{LAST MATCH: Union 0 - Nashville SC 0
NEXT MATCH: vs. New England Revolution
Saturday, Oct. 21, 6 p.m. | Apple TV - MLS Season Pass}

Good morning. It feels weird to not be waking up to a Philadelphia Union game day but we have officially entered that time of year where we wait through an international break for playoff soccer to begin. It could be worse of course, plenty of other fanbases don’t have a head coach or a shot at an MLS Cup. They probably also don’t have a playoff baseball team or an undefeated football team either.

In the email today:

In the second installment of our series, we’ll take a look at where the Union stand comparative to other teams in the league in spending on players.

It’s nothing new that the Union are a thrifty team reluctant to buy big-name players. But when you break down how they have performed relative to their spending they have a lot of company from other smart spenders.

In fact, 7 of the 10 lowest teams in cost per points gained in the standings have clinched a playoff berth. At $232,803 per point earned, the Union have the fourth lowest expenditure.

On the opposite end is the big spenders, many of whom won’t be participating in the postseason at all.

Just two of the top 10 spenders per point earned in the standings have clinched playoff berths.

Our Take: The Union’s ability to get as the saying goes “more bang for their buck” is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand it’s great they are able to uncover less expensive and lesser known players who can still make a big impact in MLS. But on the other it makes it seem like they don’t need to spend money to buy a player of the caliber of an Antoine Griezmann.

2) 🇺🇸 Citizen Dre & The Union Way

Episode 5 of The Union Way, which was released Tuesday, features Andre Blake getting his U.S. citizenship and the Concacaf Champions League. ‘

Our take: The episode is bookended nicely with a smiling Andre Blake becoming a U.S. citizen and winning a penalty shootout to advance in Leagues Cup.

3) 🔘 San Diego FC or San Diego SC?

4) 💧 Water Cooler: Young Player of the Year

Have additional thoughts? Reply directly to this email to comment, and see if we include your response tomorrow.

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Results from our last poll Union Newcomer of the Year:

Damion Lowe is the unanimous selection for Union Newcomer of the Year. It’s much deserved for the center back but also it shows how little impact the other newcomers made this season.

5) 🔗 Link Roundup:

• 💭 Former Union defender and Media, Pa. native Auston Trusty made his first Premier League start over the weekend.

• 🎙️ Todd Lewis breaks down the Union’s scoreless draw with Nashville in the latest episode of The Free Kick podcast.

• 🟩 The Philadelphia Union Foundation announced a new Mental Health initiative on World Mental Health Day on Tuesday.

• 🎥 Speaking of mental health. Norwich City released a stunning video about the importance of checking in on those around you.

The newsletter today was written by: Matt Ralph @MattRalph_

Thanks for reading!