Looking back at the 2016 Major League Soccer season, I still get that familiar mix of excitement and frustration—the kind only true soccer fans would understand. I remember sitting in the stadium during that pivotal New York derby, feeling the tension in the air as both teams battled not just each other, but the referee’s whistle. It’s funny how a single bad call can shift the entire momentum of a match, and as one coach famously put it, "Sa isang malapitan na laro, kung magkakaron ka ng apat na bad calls against you, ang laking bagah nun." Translated, it means that in a close game, four bad calls against your team can be a massive disadvantage, costing you 6-8 points, killing your momentum, and deflating team morale. That statement stuck with me because it perfectly encapsulates what made the 2016 season so unpredictable and emotionally charged.

The season kicked off with high expectations, and right from the start, it was clear that this wasn’t going to be a straightforward year. Take the Supporters’ Shield race, for example. FC Dallas and the Colorado Rapids were neck and neck for much of the season, but I vividly recall Dallas dropping crucial points in matches where refereeing decisions seemed to tilt the field. In one game against Real Salt Lake, I counted at least two questionable penalties that went against them, and while the final score read 2-1, those lost points added up. By the end of the season, Dallas finished with 60 points—just shy of the Shield—and I can’t help but think how different things might have been if a couple of those calls had gone their way. On the flip side, the Rapids, who ended up with 58 points, seemed to benefit from a bit of luck in tight situations, which only fueled the debate among fans and analysts alike.

Then there were the playoffs, where the stakes were even higher. I’ve always believed that playoff soccer in MLS is a different beast altogether—the pressure is immense, and every decision feels magnified. Toronto FC’s run to the MLS Cup is a prime example. In the Eastern Conference Final against Montreal Impact, the series was decided by the narrowest of margins, and I remember arguing with friends about how a controversial offside call in the second leg might have swung the tie. Toronto went on to win 7-5 on aggregate, but if that call had gone the other way, we might be talking about a very different champion. It’s moments like these that make me appreciate how fragile success can be in this league. A single refereeing error doesn’t just affect one game; it can alter the trajectory of an entire season.

Of course, it wasn’t all about the controversies. The 2016 season also gave us some unforgettable performances and surprises. Seattle Sounders, for instance, started the year in dismal form—I think they were sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference at one point—but their mid-season turnaround was nothing short of spectacular. Led by Nicolas Lodeiro, who joined in July, they clawed their way back and eventually lifted the MLS Cup. I still get chills thinking about their penalty shootout victory over Toronto in the final. On the scoring front, Bradley Wright-Phillips netted 24 goals for the New York Red Bulls, while David Villa bagged 23 for NYCFC, showcasing the kind of individual brilliance that can elevate a team even when the odds are stacked against them.

But let’s not forget the darker side of the season—the injuries, the slumps, and yes, those frustrating officiating moments. As a longtime follower of the league, I’ve seen how MLS has struggled with consistency in refereeing, and 2016 was no exception. There were matches where the flow of the game was constantly interrupted by dubious fouls or missed red cards, and I found myself wondering if the league would ever address this issue properly. For instance, in a match between Portland Timbers and Sporting KC, a clear handball in the box was overlooked, and Portland ended up stealing a 1-0 win. Those kinds of results don’t just affect the table; they stick with fans and players for years.

Reflecting on it all, the 2016 MLS season was a rollercoaster of emotions, defined by thrilling goals, shocking upsets, and yes, those infamous bad calls. From my perspective, what made it so compelling wasn’t just the quality of play, but the human element—the passion of the fans, the resilience of the teams, and the occasional refereeing blunder that reminded us all that soccer is as much about luck as it is about skill. As the season wrapped up, I couldn’t help but feel that while the best team doesn’t always win, the most memorable stories often come from the chaos. And honestly, that’s why I keep coming back to MLS year after year.