Following the release of the 2018 MLS schedule, LAFC now has a true picture of how its inaugural season will play out. And according to schedule analysis, they may have the easiest task of any of the League’s 23 teams.
Utilizing the average points per game at home and away for each team’s 2018 opponents, MLSsoccer.com produced a strength of schedule ranking for all 23 teams. Per the rankings, LAFC has the easiest schedule with just a 1.32 points average for their 2018 opponents, a tick lower than Houston and Vancouver’s 1.33. Montreal takes the designation of having the seemingly toughest schedule with an opponents’ 1.45 points per game average.
: Take a look at this year's Strength of Schedule Rankings: https://t.co/JbilDmxUZDpic.twitter.com/QWkdi896VE
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 7, 2018
Starting with a trip to 2017 MLS Cup runners-up Seattle, LAFC begins 2018 with a stretch of six road matches including trips to Atlanta, Vancouver, and Montreal. With three of those first six matches against teams that participated in the 2017 MLS Playoffs, the Club’s schedule wouldn’t appear easy on face value.
However, the weighted average of LAFC’s strength of schedule has been skewed by one opponent: the Galaxy.
LAFC’s Carson counterpart is slated for three matches with the Club in 2018, the most of any team on LAFC’s schedule. As a result, LAFC’s strength of schedule is influenced by the Galaxy’s MLS-worst finish in 2017. Hence, the "easiest" schedule classification bestowed upon LAFC for 2018.
Strength of Schedule Rankings according to MLSsoccer.com:
1. Montreal Impact
2. LA Galaxy
3. Philadelphia Union
4. Chicago Fire
5. NYCFC
6. Toronto FC
7. D.C. United
8. New England Revolution
9. Colorado Rapids
10. Sporting KC
11. Minnesota United
12. Orlando City SC
13. Atlanta United FC
14. FC Dallas
15. San Jose Earthquakes
16. Seattle Sounders F.C.
17. New York Red Bulls
18. Portland Timbers
19. Columbus Crew
20. Real Salt Lake
21. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
22. Houston Dynamo
23. LAFC
