Whitecaps and TFC well behind the pace set by the Reds of 2007 By Charles Posted on June 22, 2011 Comments Off on Whitecaps and TFC well behind the pace set by the Reds of 2007 0 565 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter In comparing their inaugural MLS seasons, the 2011 Vancouver Whitecaps are currently well behind the pace set by the Toronto FC club of 2007. Problem is, Aron Winter’s 2011 edition of Toronto FC is also way behind the pace of the Reds’ team of 2007. At the 16-game mark of the 2007 season, the Reds had a respectable five wins, seven losses and four draws. The team, despite not scoring through the first four games of its existence, had filled the net 18 times in the next 12 games. By the time game No. 16 had finished, the Reds had a respectable goal difference of -6, scoring 18 while allowing 24 goals. At the 16-game mark, the Whitecaps have won twice. The club has scored 17 times and allowed 22 (actually a better goal difference than the Reds of 2007). But, with 14 points, the Whitecaps of 2011 would be five points back of the Reds of 2007. The Whitecaps have two clear advantages over TFC of 2007, too. Vancouver is not a true expansion team; it was a second-division club that was able to sign players like Terry Dunfield and Davide Chiumiento and then bring them over to MLS. TFC was a green expansion team. Now, to be fair, it needs to be mentioned that the second half of that 2007 season was disastrous for the Reds. The club only won once more all season long. So, if the Whitecaps can improve their form (and no, one win to break a 14-game winless streak does not mean a “renaissance” for the club) in the second half of the season, it should be able to beat Toronto’s winning percentage of 2007. Winning percentage, not points, is the true comparison, because the 2011 season is four games longer than the 2007 campaign for each and every club. But, Toronto FC of 2011 is also badly behind TFC of 2007. After 17 games, the Winter’s Reds have just two wins (three less than TFC of the expansion season) and 15 points (four behind TFC of ’07). Goal difference is -11. And, well, the TFC that needs Alan Gordon up front if it is to threaten the opposition goal at all has scored just 15 times in 17 games. Mo Johnston’s TFC of 2007 had 18 in 16. COMPARISON Toronto FC 2007: 5-7-4 GF: 18 GA: 24 Whitecaps 2011: 2-6-8 GF: 17 GA: 22 Toronto FC 2011: 2-6-9 GF: 15 GA: 26
