Behind the numbers

As MLS enters the month of May, let take a look behind the numbers on the table, team by team:

1.  Los Angeles Galaxy
They’re on top of the table at Week 7, but only have earned 15 points in 9 games (1.67 PPG, 6th in MLS) .  Teams 2-10 are on a better point earning pace than LAG right now.

2.  New York Red Bulls
The Bulls are charging hard.  Three wins in row, with four results in their last five.  New York leads the league in fewest goals against (2) and best goal differential (+8).

3.  Philadelphia Union
An incredibly stingy defense keeps this team high in the standings with only two goals scored against them, but they also have the lowest goal production in MLS.  The offensive side is going to have to improve.

4.  Real Salt Lake
They had a bit of a stumble after the CONCACAF Champions League loss to Monterrey and the loss at Portland, but they have four games in hand on LA because of the CCL scheduling, and RSL leads the league in points per game (2.40)  and rank 2nd in goals per game (1.60).  Tied with NY, PHI in fewest goals allowed (2).

5.  Houston Dynamo
The Orange are tied for first in goals scored (11), third in goal differential (+5).  Six results and three wins in first seven games.

6.  Seattle Sounders
The rave green have had results in their last six games, and three wins in their last four.  A 1.50 PPG average through eight games needs to improve, though.

7.  Columbus Crew
The Crew rank seventh overall with three wins and five results in their last five, but with a fairly soft schedule thus far and anemic goal production, third from bottom (7).   Strong defense. (fourth in fewest goals allowed.)

8.  Colorado Rapids
On a skid, losing three of last five.  Goal differential of +1.  They’re right in the middle of every table column ranking.

9.  FC Dallas
Stumbled out of block, but have won three of last five. Score as many as they give up.  Moving up steadily despite this.

10.  Portland Timbers
If they played all their games at Jeld-Wen Field they’d be a Supporters’ Shield contender, but 13 more games away from the Timbers Army will be tough.  Defending away is a sore spot (-4 goal differential).

11.  Chivas USA
Almost left for dead early on, they’ve won their last two and had results in their last five.  They barely hang above the Mendoza Line of 1.20 PPG (1.28).

12.  New England Revolution
For the Revs, it’s one step forward and two steps back.  They only have nine points out of eight games.  They rank seventh of 18 in goals allowed.  After results in their first four, they’ve lost three of the last five.

13.  DC United
“C United” is appropo because the “D” has left the nation’s capitol.  United leads the league in goals allowed and are tied for worst goal differential (-6).

14.  Toronto FC
Tied for third with Columbus for lowest goal production (7 goals in 8 games) and goals allowed (13).  14th of 18 in PPG and tied with DC United for worst goal differential (-6).

15.  Chicago Fire
Second fewest points earned, but scoring 1.43 goals per game, tied for fourth overall.  Allowing third most goals overall (13 in 7 games.)

16.  Vancouver Whitecaps
They score goals, and they let them in.  Eleven goals for (tied for 1st), 14 goals allowed (tied for 2nd most.)

17.  San Jose Earthquakes
Anemic offensive output; only average 0.83 goals per game, have lost their last three.

18.  Sporting Kansas City
Fewest points earned (4), but three games in hand.  Average more goals per game than anyone (1.66 GPG), but allow the third most goals.  They need to get some home cooking quickly…the opening of their new stadium can’t come soon enough.