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Making the 2021 MLS playoffs is a long shot for the Vancouver Whitecaps. I have said both here and on Twitter that I think they will play at a playoff pace, now that they have added designated player Ryan Gauld, but still miss out. To test this hypothesis I am introducing “the Gauld table.”
The concept is simple. I will track how the Whitecaps perform, both in terms of points and underlying data, from the point of the first game Gauld is available for selection. There are 18 remaining regular season games so I am thinking I will give an update every 6 games.
First it’s important to establish a baseline. So here is how the Whitecaps have been doing up to the point Gauld will first be available for selection. The number in parenthesis is how they rank in the league for that stat.
The Gauld Table Volume 1
| Reporting Period | PPG | Supporter's Sheild Standings | Shots For Per Game | Shots Against Per Game | xG | xGA | xGD | xPPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reporting Period | PPG | Supporter's Sheild Standings | Shots For Per Game | Shots Against Per Game | xG | xGA | xGD | xPPG |
| Pre-Gauld | 0.93 (21) | 21 | 9.38 (27) | 13.81 (15) | 1.12 (21) | 1.49 (18) | -0.38 (19) | 1.18 (18) |
As we can see, the Whitecaps are pretty bad. There are definitely worse teams but nobody would confuse them for being good. The biggest problem is their anemic attack. The ‘Caps average the fewest shots per match and the 6th fewest expected goals.
Their defence is not quite so bad as they are just slightly below the league average in shots against and expected goals against.
We will have our first check in after the September 4th game against Austin F.C.