Three (more stats)

It's part two, where I will look at the top ten MLS streaks of not allowing three goals. In part one, I looked at the teams who could not score three goals. It seems like it's easier to not allow the three goals rather than the other way around, at least for a long time. While there were more streaks of not scoring three goals, the streaks here are much longer. Most League Games Without Allowing 3 Goals 10) 1999-00 Tampa Bay Mutiny: 21 games (9-7-5). 14/7 split. The Mutiny may have gone out with a wimper, as their 2001 team was the worst in MLS history. But they were pretty good before that. In the first five years of the league, they had the third best record out of the ten original teams. They just couldn't get it done in the playoffs. The 1999 teams wasn't very good, but they were better in the second half and still made the playoffs. The 2000 season was very good for them, until another playoff failure. Damn, too bad they were contracted, or MPF would have a double meaning. 8t) 1996-97 Columbus Crew: 22 games (12-5-5). 13/9 split. After three appearances on the previous list, at least they make it once here. The Crew started off their first season badly, but recovered and were on fire down the stretch. They fired their coach and hired Tom Fitzgerald, and Brad Friedel took over in goal, and also Brian Maisonneuve cracked the starting lineup. 8t) 1996-97 D.C. United: 22 games (15-2-5). 8/14 split. DC came together at the end of the year and started their dominance of the league. During this stretch, Jaime Moreno and Eddie Pope began starting full time. 1997 saw Carlos Llamosa join the backline. The streak ended with a bang, a 1-6 defeat in Kansas City. 7) 2005 New England Revolution: 23 games (13-5-5). The streak began after the 4-3 win in DC, and lasted until the 4-5 loss against the Metros. I think that this year's Revs team will go down as one of the best team not to win the MLS Cup. The defense wasn't looking solid going into the year, but Michael Parkhurst had a great rookie year, and they finished with their best defensive season ever. It was their offense that killed them in the playoffs. 6) 1996-97 Dallas Burn: 24 games (10-8-6). 13/11 split. Now this is a case of why this statistic may not be the greatest. Yes, the Burn might have been able to prevent big games, but they still allowed a bunch of goals. Out of the 24 games, they allowed 2 goals half the time, including 6 games in a row at one point. It seems fitting that this franchise would be in that position, since they have a history of being good but not great. 4t) 2004-05 San Jose Earthquakes: 25 games (8-8-9). 24/1 split. In the past five years, the Earthquakes have the best record in the league by far, and two championships to go with it. 2004 was definitely their worst year, so it's interesting to see that team here as an example of great defense. But it turns out that team is the 15th best in MLS history defensively. Actually, the past five Earthquakes teams all are in the top 22. The difference was that the 2004 team was worse offensively. It looks like they really needed the shakeup last year. 4t) 2005-?? Kansas City Wizards: 25 games (9-7-9). The Wizards did have a better record than the Galaxy this season, despite missing the playoffs. I don't know if they're a great defensive team either, but they definitely are in every game. They simply don't get blown out, with only two losses by goals this season. They take this streak into next season (as well as an 8 game winless streak), but I don't think they'll be able to match the top three, especially if Jimmy Conrad goes to Germany. 2t) 1998-99 Los Angeles Galaxy: 33 games (17-8-8). 3/30 split. The 1998 Galaxy were known for being a great offensive team. In fact, they were the best offensive team in MLS history. They followed that up in 1999 by being the best defensive team in MLS history. The players were basically the same, so I guess it boils down to the different styles of Octavio Zambrano and Sigi Schmid. Zambrano followed up in 2000 leading the Metrostars a great offensive year. 2t) 2001-02 San Jose Earthquakes: 33 games (18-11-4). 10/23 split. The Earthquakes have been great defensively in recent times, like I mentioned above. The end of this streak coincided perfectly with the bad run at the end of 2002, ruining what looked like another great year. Including the playoffs, they only won 1 out of 7 games starting with a 0-3 loss in Colorado. Agoos and Dayak made the team strong on defense, while Conrad also started a bunch of games. 1) 2002-04 Los Angeles Galaxy: 45 games (19-14-12). 7/30/8 split. Yes, Sigi Schmid appears to be very good at organizing his teams defensively. If this is any indication, the Crew should be improved in that area next season. The 2002 Galaxy were good, while the 2004 team started out great. But the 2003 Galaxy team was not great by any means, so it's interesting to see them as part of the record streak (by far). The defense on that team was good, but the offense was the 10th worst in league history. So their games did not see a lot of goals from either side, 3rd worst in that category (only the 2004 Wizards and Rapids teams are behind them). They were starting guys like Serna, Chacon, and Glinton alongside Ruiz at different points. But the defensive remained solid with Califf and Marshall, although it failed them when they needed it most.