When the rules were announced for MLS NEXT Pro one that caught many eyes was the introduction of penalty kicks to decide regular season matches. Yep, matches will not end in draw with both sides happy to take away a point for their season totals. Instead, should a match end deadlocked after 90 minutes, the game will be decided in a way typically reserved for the knockout round of major competitions.
With the MLS NEXT Pro opener on the horizon, Philadelphia Union II Head Coach Marlon LeBlanc said that the new format means the club will spend more time on the penalty spot during the week.
“We’ve built it in to our training routine and sometimes we’ll start with penalties to get started with the exercises,” LeBlanc said. “It’s a two or three times a week exercise to work on penalties. The collaborative effort means that both first and second team goalkeepers are going through that penalty routine.”
A win in regulation will still be worth the usual three points, however the added pressure that comes with penalties could be rewarded with additional points. Matches that head to penalty kicks will see both sides lock in a single point for the draw, just like MLS Clubs receive. But in MLS NEXT Pro, the winner from the best of five PKs get a second point to add to their total. That extra point could be key for deciding who claims one of the two spots in the postseason and is something that LeBlanc thinks will make for an entertaining finish.
“It’s a cool format and now you can go on the road and get a point and maybe even steal an extra point in pens,” LeBlanc said. “It will be interesting and fun and will be something you have to think about with guys on the field as it gets late in a match.”
Philadelphia Union II plays their inaugural MLS NEXT Pro against FC Cincinnati 2 on Sunday, March 27th. Kick off from Subaru Park is set for 2 p.m. ET with tickets available for purchase by clicking here.
