Frank Myrland
When looking over football rankings, goal differential can sometimes tell the whole story. Because teams don't always win by the same margin, goal differential doesn't always transfer directly into wins and losses. Big wins and small loses mean that a team can potentially have a positive goal differential and a losing record. The reverse is also true.
With this in mind, it doesn't take a statistical genius to realise that the New York Red Bulls, with 22 more goals conceded than scored, firmly belong in their place at the bottom of the MLS standings. Coming off a 2008 season which saw the squad reach the MLS Cup final after narrowly making the playoffs, New York may have had hopes of repeat success, or even of capturing the prize that had eluded them the year before.
25 games later, New York have scored a mere 20 goals while conceding a huge 42. Those sorts of numbers deserve not a trophy but a complete upheaval of what is clearly a football system in freefall. They have also failed to earn a single win on the road, going winless in 12 games while scoring only two goals. Losing their first game of the season to the brand new Seattle Sounders Football Club may have been a bad omen of what has turned out to be an awful and forgettable season.
Those same Seattle Sounders have experienced a very successful inaugural season and are currently sitting in fifth place in the standings, well within the limit for making the round of 16. It isn't often that a new franchise finds success so quickly; by comparison, Toronto FC have yet to make the MLS playoffs and couldn't score a goal until their fifth match.
Another team that can wave goodbye to their chances of making the post season games are the San Jose Earthquakes, as their regrettable -13 goal differential has placed them far behind in the standings. The spot is a familiar one for the Earthquakes, who finished bottom of the table last year as well. With a second failed season about to pass them by, San Jose may need to make some major changes before next season begins to get back on track.
From goal differential, it is also plain to see that Real Salt Lake have had some unfortunate breaks this season. Despite scoring 11 more goals than Chivas USA, Real Salt Lake trails Chivas by two points in the standings. When their goals start translating into wins, Real Salt Lake can surely make a real push for the playoffs. The top eight teams advance to the MLS playoffs, so ninth place Real Salt Lake have a legitimate chance of making the next round.
FC Dallas have the distinction of being tied with DC United for the most goals scored by any team in the MLS. However, whereas DC United are amongst the leaders in the Eastern division, FC Dallas have been let down by a combination of poor defending and goalkeeping and as such dwindle in the basement of the Western Standings.
With the season nearing an end, some teams may as well be preparing for the playoffs while others may as well be preparing for a long off-season.
For that group of teams who can still make the playoffs further struggle awaits.
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