MLS soccer dot com released the 2018 Strength of Schedule rankings this weekend, following the release of the 2018 MLS Regular Season schedule.
In it, MLSsoccer.com pegged LA Galaxy with the second toughest schedule in the league, behind only Montreal Impact.
The MLS schedule is broken up pretty simply: Every team plays conference opponents either two or three times and they face out-of-conference teams just once. So not every schedule is made the same, making the strength of schedule calculation all the more interesting.
Another factor that throws a wrench into this calculation is that there will be a new team in MLS this year. Though LAFC are on every team's schedule, their effect on this number could not be calculated.
Below you'll find the complete table, calculated by taking the 2017 average points per game at home and on the road for each team's opponent.
1️⃣: @impactmontreal
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 7, 2018
2⃣: @LAGalaxy
3⃣: @PhilaUnion
Take a look at this year's Strength of Schedule Rankings: https://t.co/JbilDmxUZDpic.twitter.com/QWkdi896VE
2018 MLSsoccer.com Strength of Schedule Rankings
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
