MLS 2009: Embrace The Draw

By Peter Hirdt Elias Sports Bureau
Official Statistician of MLS

Elias Sports Bureau ‘Insider’s Edge’: May 27
Half of season’s draws coming from tying goals scored in the 80th minute or later

EMBRACE THE DRAW!
When Chivas USA hosts Chicago on Thursday night (ESPN2, 10:30 p.m. Eastern), you’ll see the respective conference leaders in a potential preview of MLS Cup 2009. Both teams have been in outstanding form since opening day. The Fire are only the fifth MLS team to go undefeated over the first 10 games of a season (4-0-6). Chivas’ total of 24 points (7-1-3) equals the highest such marks after 11 games over the last four seasons. Chicago has the league’s highest scoring average (1.7 goals per game), and Chivas has the best defense (0.5 goals allowed per game).

If you think you’ve seen a matchup like this before, think again. Thursday’s match will be the first in MLS history between teams that both have fewer than two losses this far into a season.

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