Let’s just say, this one may be more for the stat nerd out there today.
Thanks to a post idea from our friends down in Austin at Verde All Day, and a new project from Sebastian Bush (the main man behind one of my favorite BlueSky accounts these days, MLS Analytics). We can now see a better visualization as to how well FC Dallas is doing at scoring goals (and defending them).
While we’re only six games into the new season, we can look at how the club is doing on both fronts as well as a quick comparison to how things went last season.
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Quick Note on xG
Per American Soccer Analysis: expected goals (xG) are the number of goals that can be expected to be scored based on where and how a shot was taken. We all know that a shot in the six yard box is more likely to go in than a shot from outside the 18. Similarly, a shot taken with the shooter's foot is more likely to score than one taken with their head. We can combine these things - shot location and type - and assign it an "expected goal" value.
Quick note on Great, Good, Average, or Poor xG shots
Great xG shots mean you are converting more of them into goals than the Good xG shots. For what it is worth, only 19% of all MLS shots so far have an xG of 0.15 or above, but those shots account for 58% of all goals.
Per American Soccer Analysis: expected goals (xG) are the number of goals that can be expected to be scored based on where and how a shot was taken. We all know that a shot in the six yard box is more likely to go in than a shot from outside the 18. Similarly, a shot taken with the shooter's foot is more likely to score than one taken with their head. We can combine these things - shot location and type - and assign it an "expected goal" value.
Quick note on Great, Good, Average, or Poor xG shots
Great xG shots mean you are converting more of them into goals than the Good xG shots. For what it is worth, only 19% of all MLS shots so far have an xG of 0.15 or above, but those shots account for 58% of all goals.
Diving into 2025 (through six games)
Let’s get into it, here is how FC Dallas looks after six games. The great, good and everything else in between.
