Here are some interesting stats that I came across this weekend in a discussion with Priz.
Toronto FC is not only last in the league in goals allowed (no surprise, given our defensive issues), we are also tied for last in the league in goals scored, (TFC and Chivas have 7 each) for a combined -14 goal differential. The next closest team has -7 (Dallas).
Last season, Toronto took over the all-time worst goal differential from Colorado. As of the end of the 2011 season, we have been scored on 73 more times than we have scored. With our worsened form, the -14 extends our ownership of that particular state to -87. The next closest is Colorado at +68 (they are +1 so far this season). We are 19 goals adrift in the all-time goal differential category. The chasm between us and the all time best goal differential team in MLS history (LA Galaxy at +142) is an eye-popping 229 goals.
This highlights a few very interesting contradictions. We have repeatedly heard in some corners that this team is playing "better" but when you have the worst stats in the league in both defense and offence, I am not sure where the "better" can be found. Before Winter took over, we were sitting in 3rd worst in the league with a -50 goal differential. In barely over a season (43 games), we have dropped 37 goals more than we scored. It took 4 entire seasons (120 games) to get to -50, but in 43 games (almost a third of 120 games) we have come within 13 goals of matching that record of futility. That is beyond shocking.
And finally, the stat that reared it's ugly head in this particular game against DC, their 2nd top scorer (DeRo) has 5 goals and 7 assists on the season. Our top 3 scorers have 5 goals and 3 asissts
combined. (Koevermans: 2,0, Lambe: 2,1, Johnson: 1,2). Their top scorer (Santos) has more goals than our top 3, with 6 and both are ex-TFC.
Somebody pass me the hard stuff, you couldn't make this stuff up if you tried.