Around MLS: A statistical look at goals and shooting success

624 goals have been scored so far this season, which gives an average of 2.61 goals per game. 1.6 of those have been for the Home team, and 1.01 for the Away team.

D.C. United

Played	Goals	Against	Shots	On Goal	Against	On Goal
25	15	41	298	91	338	118
	G/Game	GA/Game	S/Game	SOG/Game	SA/Game	SOGA/Game
	0.6	1.64	11.9	31% 3.6	13.52	35% 4.72

With a net goals per game at -1.04 it's clear to see why they're in last place. A lacking offense coupled with a porous defense is not the path to success. 31% of their shots are on goal, but only 16% of those result in a goal. Their opponents Shots fare better with 35% of shots being on goal and 35% of those scoring - 2nd worst in the league.
Leading Scorer: Luis Silva, Dwayne DeRosario (3 each)

Toronto FC

Played	Goals	Against	Shots	On Goal	Against	On Goal
25	22	34	244	79	340	106
	G/G	GA/G	S/G	SOG/G	SA/G	SOGA/G
	0.88	1.36	9.8	32% 3.2/game	13.6	31% 4.24

A net goals per game of -0.48 is much better than DC; with 32% of their shots are on goal, but with only 28% of those going in showing why they're at the bottom with DC. Opponents have 31% of their shots on target resulting in 32% success rate.

Leading Scorer: Robert Earnshaw (6)

Chivas USA

Played	Goals	Against	Shots	On Goal	Against	On Goal
25	24	45	248	86	397	142
	G/G	GA/G	S/G	SOG/G	SA/G	SOGA/G
	0.96	1.8	9.9	35% 3.4/game	15.88	36% 5.68

A league low 45 Goals Against gives them a net GPG of -0.84. Teams outshoot Chivas at a phenomenal rate, and there is only so much Dan Kennedy can do when facing a barrage. While 35% of their shots are on goal, only 28% have scored, the shot imbalance results in 36% of opponents shots being on target, and the fact that only 32% of those got past Kennedy is a testament to his ability.
Leading Scorer: Erick Torres (4)

San Jose Earthquakes

Played	Goals	Against	Shots	On Goal	Against	On Goal
26	28	37	328	103	328	123
	G/G	GA/G	S/G	SOG/G	SA/G	SOGA/G
	1.08	1.42	12.6	31% 4/game	12.62	38% 4.73

What a difference a season makes, the goal leaders from last year currently have a net GPG of -0.34. With 31% of their shots being on goal a fairly low 27% of them have scored. Their opponents boast a 38% shots on goal ratio and 30% of those scoring.

Leading Scorer: Chris Wondolowski (8)

Columbus Crew

Played	Goals	Against	Shots	On Goal	Against	On Goal
25	29	34	343	112	321	114
	G/G	GA/G	S/G	SOG/G	SA/G	SOGA/G
	1.16	1.36	13.7	33% 4.5/game	12.84	36% 4.56

With a net GPG of -0.2 they're getting close to breaking even, but they'll have to work at it. The Crew have taken 33% of their shots on goal, but have the 3rd lowest SOG conversion at 26%. Opponents are fairly average with 36% of shots being on goal and 30% of those successful.

Leading Scorer: Federico Higuain (9)

Houston Dynamo

Played	Goals	Against	Shots	On Goal	Against	On Goal
24	29	28	323	98	312	101
	G/G	GA/G	S/G	SOG/G	SA/G	SOGA/G
	1.21	1.17	13.5	30% 4.1/game	13	32% 4.21

With the Dynamo we finally get a positive net GPG, even if it is a meager 0.04. A balanced 30% of their shots are on goal, and 30% scoring. Opponents take 32% of their shots on goal, but decent defense has meant only 28% got through.

Leading Scorer: Will Bruin (6)

Chicago Fire

Played	Goals	Against	Shots	On Goal	Against	On Goal
24	30	34	326	120	326	107
	G/G	GA/G	S/G	SOG/G	SA/G	SOGA/G
	1.25	1.42	13.6	37% 5/game	13.58	33% 4.46

Their dismal start did the Fire no favors, but they're slowly climbing with a net -0.17 GPG. An excellent 37% of their shots are on target, but they are 2nd lowest converting them at 25%. Opponents are about average with 33% on goal, and 32% succeeding.

Leading Scorer: Mike Magee (8)

Seattle Sounders

Played	Goals	Against	Shots	On Goal	Against	On Goal
23	31	26	270	88	291	92
	G/G	GA/G	S/G	SOG/G	SA/G	SOGA/G
	1.35	1.13	11.7	33% 3.8/game	12.65	32% 4

Seattle is making up for their weak start to the season, and with games in hand can continue to do so. Their net GPG is only 0.22; and though only 33% of their shots are on goal, they have the 2nd best SOG conversion rate at 35%. With an excellent goalkeeper, of the 32% shots on goal; only 28% have found the back of the net.

Leading Scorer: Obafemi Martins (7)

Colorado Rapids

Played	Goals	Against	Shots	On Goal	Against	On Goal
26	33	27	365	110	281	103
	G/G	GA/G	S/G	SOG/G	SA/G	SOGA/G
	1.27	1.04	14	30% 4.2/game	10.81	37% 3.96

As with the Sounders, Colorado is making up for their slow start, but with much less games in hand. Marginally better with a 0.23 net GPG, they are also average with 30% shots/goal, and 30% of those succeeding. Amazing goalkeeping have meant opponents succeed only 26% of the 37% of shots on goal against - tied for 3rd best in the league.

Leading Scorer: Deshorn Brown (7)

New England Revolution

Played	Goals	Against	Shots	On Goal	Against	On Goal
25	34	24	279	105	309	96
	G/G	GA/G	S/G	SOG/G	SA/G	SOGA/G
	1.36	.96	11.2	38% 4.2/game	12.36	31% 3.84

The Revolution have the league low Goals Against of 24, making their net GPG a respectable 0.4. They take 38% of their shots on goal, with a success rate of 32%; coupled with their low Goals Against rating, opponents take 31% of their shots on goal, but only 25% going in - 2nd best in the league.

Leading Scorer: Diego Fagundez (8)

FC Dallas

Played	Goals	Against	Shots	On Goal	Against	On Goal
26	36	38	321	118	333	132
	G/G	GA/G	S/G	SOG/G	SA/G	SOGA/G
	1.38	1.46	12.3	37% 4.5/game	12.81	40% 5.08

Dallas had an excellent start, but it has all come crashing down - their net GPG has fallen to -0.08. With 37% of their shots on goal that's tied for 3rd best, but they still have an average 31% conversion rate. Conversely, opponents have a league high 40% of their shots on goal, and 29% of those making it in is slightly better than average.

Leading Scorer: Blas Perez (10)

Sporting Kansas City

Played	Goals	Against	Shots	On Goal	Against	On Goal
26	36	26	401	121	226	79
	G/G	GA/G	S/G	SOG/G	SA/G	SOGA/G
	1.38	1	15.4	30% 4.7/game	8.69	35% 3.04

KC has a healthy 0.38 net GPG, and boast the most shots of any team in the league. In other respects they are average - 30% of shots are on goal, and 30% succeed. Opponents are more successful taking 35% on target, and 33% of those making it in.

Leading Scorer: Claudio Bieler (9)

Vancouver Whitecaps

Played	Goals	Against	Shots	On Goal	Against	On Goal
25	36	33	319	114	375	105
	G/G	GA/G	S/G	SOG/G	SA/G	SOGA/G
	1.44	1.32	12.8	36% 4.6/game	15	28% 4.2

It is testament to their defense/goalkeeping that they have faced the 2nd most shots against, but have only given up 33 goals. A net GPG of 0.12 isn't great, but better than many. With 36% of their shots on goal, the Caps also have a slightly better than average conversion rate of 32%. While opponents take less of their shots on goal (league low 28%), 31% of those have been successful.

Leading Scorer: Camilo Sanvezzo (14)

Philadelphia Union

Played	Goals	Against	Shots	On Goal	Against	On Goal
26	37	37	353	122	330	116
	G/G	GA/G	S/G	SOG/G	SA/G	SOGA/G
	1.42	1.42	13.6	35% 4.7/game	12.69	35% 4.46

Inconsistent Philly have a net GPG of 0. Tied for 5th in Goals For shows they can strike well, but they're tied for 4th worst at goals given up. An excellent 35% of their shots are on goal, but only an average of 30% go in. Opponents also take 35% on target - and succeed 32% of the time.

Leading Scorer: Jack McInerney (10)

Portland Timbers

Played	Goals	Against	Shots	On Goal	Against	On Goal
25	37	26	331	119	325	108
	G/G	GA/G	S/G	SOG/G	SA/G	SOGA/G
	1.48	1.04	13.2	36% 4.8/game	13	33% 4.32

The Timbers have a respectable 0.44 net GPG. They have the 3rd lowest SOG-Against, and the 3rd highest SOG total; 36% of their shots are on target, but their conversion rate is still only an average 31%. Where they excel has been vs opponents - while 33% of the shots against have been on target, thanks to Donovan Ricketts a league low 24% have resulted in a goal.

Leading Scorer: Ryan Johnson (8)

New York Red Bulls

Played	Goals	Against	Shots	On Goal	Against	On Goal
26	38	34	303	106	341	116
	G/G	GA/G	S/G	SOG/G	SA/G	SOGA/G
	1.46	1.31	11.7	35% 4.1/game	13.12	34% 4.46

With 3 leading scorers it's no wonder they've scored the 4th highest number of goals with a league high 36% SOG conversion rate, but a meager 0.15 net GPG shows their defensive weakness.

Leading Scorer: Thierry Henry, Tim Cahill, Fabian Espindola (7 ea)

Los Angeles Galaxy

Played	Goals	Against	Shots	On Goal	Against	On Goal
25	40	32	372	126	244	89
	G/G	GA/G	S/G	SOG/G	SA/G	SOGA/G
	1.6	1.28	14.9	34% 5/game	9.76	36% 3.56

The Galaxy have the lowest Shots Against in the league, their offense is also ticking along nicely giving a net GPG 0.32. With 34% of their shots on goal, and a conversion slightly better than average at 32%. The dark side is their defense/goalkeeping to date, with opponents being able to take 36% on goal - and a league high 36% of those succeeding.

Leading Scorer: Robbie Keane (10)

Montreal Impact

Played	Goals	Against	Shots	On Goal	Against	On Goal
24	41	35	306	131	354	117
	G/G	GA/G	S/G	SOG/G	SA/G	SOGA/G
	1.71	1.46	12.8	43% 5.5/game	14.75	33% 4.48

While 2nd on goals scored, they've also given up the most of the top 5 on this list; that drops their net GPG 0.25. The Impact boast a league high 43% SOG ratio, but conversion is merely an average 31%. Fortunately opponents are also about average with 33% on target and 30% success rate.

Leading Scorer: Marco Di Vaio (15)

Real Salt Lake

Played	Goals	Against	Shots	On Goal	Against	On Goal
27	48	33	369	144	328	129
	G/G	GA/G	S/G	SOG/G	SA/G	SOGA/G
	1.78	1.22	13.7	39% 5.3/game	12.15	39% 4.78

With the highest Goals For and GPG, they've reached a league high 0.56 net GPG. They have the 2nd highest SOG ratio at 39% and 3rd best conversion at 33%. This is coupled by the Great Wall of Rimando - even with a league high 39% of opponents shots being on goal, only 26% have found the net, tied for 3rd best in the league.

Leading Scorer: Alvaro Saborio (9)