With the Dallas Burn firing their coach and placing Colin Clarke at the helm for the remainder of the season, I really hope they don't all of the sudden decide to play for the new coach. Why? MLS All-time Worst Win Count (By Win/Gms Pct): .125 1999 MetroStars: 7(3)-25 (a.k.a. 4W-3SOW-5SOL-20L) .148 2001 Mutiny: 4W-21L-2D .167 2003 Burn: 4W-16L-4D (6 games to play) .187 1999 Wizards: 8(2)-24 (a.k.a. 6W-2SOW-6SOL-18L) .192 2001 Rapids: 5W-13L-8D .219 2000 Earthquakes: 7W-17L-8D .219 1999 Revolution: 12(5)-20 (a.k.a. 7W-5SOW-7SOL-13L) .250 2000 United: 8W-18L-6D .250 1999 Fusion: 13(5)-19 (a.k.a. 8W-5SOW-4SOL-15L) .259 2001 Revolution: 7W-14L-6D .281 1996 Rapids: 11(2)-21 (a.k.a. 9W-2SOW-4SOL-17L) .281 1998 Revolution: 11(2)-21 (a.k.a. 9W-2SOW-4SOL-17L) .281 1997 Clash: 12(3)-20 (a.k.a. 9W-3SOW-6SOL-14L) .281 1999 Mutiny: 14(5)-18 (a.k.a. 9W-5SOW-7SOL-11L) .281 1996 Revolution: 15(6)-17 (a.k.a. 9W-6SOW-2SOL-15L) .281 1999 Clash: 19(10)-13 (a.k.a. 9W-10SOW-3SOL-10L) .308 2001 United: 8W-16L-2D .321 2002 United: 9W-14L-5D .321 2002 Wizards: 9W-10L-9D Teams need under 10W to qualify for above list. Metro and Fusion appear once (and the Burn may appear for the 1st time). Mutiny, Wizards, and Rapids appear twice. Clash/Earthquakes and United appear three times. Revolution have the most appearances (four). If the Burn loose or tie their remaining 6 matches, they will end up second on the all-time list at .133 WinPct. Now if the Burn get REAL HOT and win their last 6, they won't even make the above list. Only the Fire, Galaxy, Burn, and Crew aren't in the above futility list.
Well, Dallas has done themselves a favor with their latest win ensuring no worse than 3rd place and currently have a WinPct of .200 (5th place).
Dallas looking ugly again. Updated table: MLS All-time Worst Win Count (By Win/Gms Pct): .125 1999 MetroStars: 7(3)-25 (a.k.a. 4W-3SOW-5SOL-20L) .148 2001 Mutiny: 4W-21L-2D .187 1999 Wizards: 8(2)-24 (a.k.a. 6W-2SOW-6SOL-18L) .192 2003 Burn: 5W-17L-4D (4 games to play) .192 2001 Rapids: 5W-13L-8D .219 2000 Earthquakes: 7W-17L-8D .219 1999 Revolution: 12(5)-20 (a.k.a. 7W-5SOW-7SOL-13L) .250 2000 United: 8W-18L-6D .250 1999 Fusion: 13(5)-19 (a.k.a. 8W-5SOW-4SOL-15L) .259 2001 Revolution: 7W-14L-6D .281 1996 Rapids: 11(2)-21 (a.k.a. 9W-2SOW-4SOL-17L) .281 1998 Revolution: 11(2)-21 (a.k.a. 9W-2SOW-4SOL-17L) .281 1997 Clash: 12(3)-20 (a.k.a. 9W-3SOW-6SOL-14L) .281 1999 Mutiny: 14(5)-18 (a.k.a. 9W-5SOW-7SOL-11L) .281 1996 Revolution: 15(6)-17 (a.k.a. 9W-6SOW-2SOL-15L) .281 1999 Clash: 19(10)-13 (a.k.a. 9W-10SOW-3SOL-10L) .308 2001 United: 8W-16L-2D .321 2002 United: 9W-14L-5D .321 2002 Wizards: 9W-10L-9D Now that the Dallas team can't get 10 wins, there are only three teams that have never appeared on the above table: Fire, Galaxy, and Crew (however, the Galaxy and Crew could still make the list this year -- both currently have 8 wins).
Updated table with two new entries: MLS All-time Worst Win Count (By Win/Gms Pct): .125 1999 MetroStars: 7(3)-25 (a.k.a. 4W-3SOW-5SOL-20L) .148 2001 Mutiny: 4W-21L-2D .185 2003 Burn: 5W-18L-4D (3 games to play) .187 1999 Wizards: 8(2)-24 (a.k.a. 6W-2SOW-6SOL-18L) .192 2001 Rapids: 5W-13L-8D .219 2000 Earthquakes: 7W-17L-8D .219 1999 Revolution: 12(5)-20 (a.k.a. 7W-5SOW-7SOL-13L) .250 2000 United: 8W-18L-6D .250 1999 Fusion: 13(5)-19 (a.k.a. 8W-5SOW-4SOL-15L) .259 2001 Revolution: 7W-14L-6D .281 1996 Rapids: 11(2)-21 (a.k.a. 9W-2SOW-4SOL-17L) .281 1998 Revolution: 11(2)-21 (a.k.a. 9W-2SOW-4SOL-17L) .281 1997 Clash: 12(3)-20 (a.k.a. 9W-3SOW-6SOL-14L) .281 1999 Mutiny: 14(5)-18 (a.k.a. 9W-5SOW-7SOL-11L) .281 1996 Revolution: 15(6)-17 (a.k.a. 9W-6SOW-2SOL-15L) .281 1999 Clash: 19(10)-13 (a.k.a. 9W-10SOW-3SOL-10L) .296 2003 Crew: 8W-11L-8D (3 games to play) .296 2003 Galaxy: 8W-11L-8D (3 games to play) .308 2001 United: 8W-16L-2D .321 2002 United: 9W-14L-5D .321 2002 Wizards: 9W-10L-9D If the table finishes with these three 2003 entries, only Chicago will have avoided this table throughout MLS short history.
Updated table (<10 wins): MLS All-time Worst Win Count (By Win/Gms Pct): .125 1999 MetroStars: 7(3)-25 (a.k.a. 4W-3SOW-5SOL-20L) .148 2001 Mutiny: 4W-21L-2D .179 2003 Burn: 5W-18L-5D (2 games to play) .187 1999 Wizards: 8(2)-24 (a.k.a. 6W-2SOW-6SOL-18L) .192 2001 Rapids: 5W-13L-8D .219 2000 Earthquakes: 7W-17L-8D .219 1999 Revolution: 12(5)-20 (a.k.a. 7W-5SOW-7SOL-13L) .250 2000 United: 8W-18L-6D .250 1999 Fusion: 13(5)-19 (a.k.a. 8W-5SOW-4SOL-15L) .259 2001 Revolution: 7W-14L-6D .281 1996 Rapids: 11(2)-21 (a.k.a. 9W-2SOW-4SOL-17L) .281 1998 Revolution: 11(2)-21 (a.k.a. 9W-2SOW-4SOL-17L) .281 1997 Clash: 12(3)-20 (a.k.a. 9W-3SOW-6SOL-14L) .281 1999 Mutiny: 14(5)-18 (a.k.a. 9W-5SOW-7SOL-11L) .281 1996 Revolution: 15(6)-17 (a.k.a. 9W-6SOW-2SOL-15L) .281 1999 Clash: 19(10)-13 (a.k.a. 9W-10SOW-3SOL-10L) .286 2003 Crew: 8W-12L-8D (2 games to play) .286 2003 Galaxy: 8W-12L-8D (2 games to play) .308 2001 United: 8W-16L-2D .321 2002 United: 9W-14L-5D .321 2002 Wizards: 9W-10L-9D
It still seems to me the 2001 Mutiny is the worst team ever, by any reasonable metric. If you count shootout results as draws, the Mutiny still falls behind the 99 Metros in points per game, which is the most relevant statistic. It's just not right to ignore the fact that the Metros at least managed 8 ties, while the Mutiny only got 2. Losing 21 of 27 games outright is remarkable, especially when you consider the Mutiny had some pretty good players. (Ralston, Diallo, Valdarama, Garlick, etc)
Updated table (<10 wins): MLS All-time Worst Win Count (By Win/Gms Pct): .125 1999 MetroStars: 7(3)-25 (a.k.a. 4W-3SOW-5SOL-20L) .148 2001 Mutiny: 4W-21L-2D .172 2003 Burn: 5W-19L-5D (1 game to play) .187 1999 Wizards: 8(2)-24 (a.k.a. 6W-2SOW-6SOL-18L) .192 2001 Rapids: 5W-13L-8D .219 2000 Earthquakes: 7W-17L-8D .219 1999 Revolution: 12(5)-20 (a.k.a. 7W-5SOW-7SOL-13L) .250 2000 United: 8W-18L-6D .250 1999 Fusion: 13(5)-19 (a.k.a. 8W-5SOW-4SOL-15L) .259 2001 Revolution: 7W-14L-6D .281 1996 Rapids: 11(2)-21 (a.k.a. 9W-2SOW-4SOL-17L) .281 1998 Revolution: 11(2)-21 (a.k.a. 9W-2SOW-4SOL-17L) .281 1997 Clash: 12(3)-20 (a.k.a. 9W-3SOW-6SOL-14L) .281 1999 Mutiny: 14(5)-18 (a.k.a. 9W-5SOW-7SOL-11L) .281 1996 Revolution: 15(6)-17 (a.k.a. 9W-6SOW-2SOL-15L) .281 1999 Clash: 19(10)-13 (a.k.a. 9W-10SOW-3SOL-10L) .286 2003 Crew: 8W-12L-8D (2 games to play) .308 2001 United: 8W-16L-2D .310 2003 Galaxy: 9W-12L-8D (1 game to play) .321 2002 United: 9W-14L-5D .321 2002 Wizards: 9W-10L-9D
The '99 Metro had one less loss and one less outright win than the '01 Mutiny. But the Mutiny played ONLY 27 matches (5 fewer matches than the Metro). Surely, in 5 matches, the Mutiny would've won one more (oops, wait a minute, their WinPct was under .200 so maybe not)... The defining answer is that your chance of seeing a legitimate win from the Metro was only 1-in-8 while the Mutiny somehow won a match 1-in-7 times out. Just for kicks, I'll add goals-for/goals-against (but you may need to subtract 1gf for each SOW and subtract 1ga for each SOL -- not sure): MLS All-time Worst Win Count (By Win/Gms Pct): .125 1999 MetroStars: 7(3)-25 (a.k.a. 4W-3SOW-5SOL-20L) 32gf-64ga .148 2001 Mutiny: 4W-21L-2D 32gf-68ga .172 2003 Burn: 5W-19L-5D 31gf-61ga (1 game to play) .187 1999 Wizards: 8(2)-24 (a.k.a. 6W-2SOW-6SOL-18L) 33gf-53ga .192 2001 Rapids: 5W-13L-8D 36gf-47ga .219 2000 Earthquakes: 7W-17L-8D 35gf-50ga .219 1999 Revolution: 12(5)-20 (a.k.a. 7W-5SOW-7SOL-13L) 38gf-53ga .250 2000 United: 8W-18L-6D 44gf-63ga .250 1999 Fusion: 13(5)-19 (a.k.a. 8W-5SOW-4SOL-15L) 42gf-59ga .259 2001 Revolution: 7W-14L-6D 35gf-52ga .281 1996 Rapids: 11(2)-21 (a.k.a. 9W-2SOW-4SOL-17L) 44gf-59ga .281 1998 Revolution: 11(2)-21 (a.k.a. 9W-2SOW-4SOL-17L) 53gf-66ga .281 1997 Clash: 12(3)-20 (a.k.a. 9W-3SOW-6SOL-14L) 55gf-59ga .281 1999 Mutiny: 14(5)-18 (a.k.a. 9W-5SOW-7SOL-11L) 51gf-51ga .281 1996 Revolution: 15(6)-17 (a.k.a. 9W-6SOW-2SOL-15L) 43gf-56ga .281 1999 Clash: 19(10)-13 (a.k.a. 9W-10SOW-3SOL-10L) 48gf-49ga .308 2001 United: 8W-16L-2D 42gf-50ga .310 2003 Crew: 9W-12L-8D 38gf-42ga (1 game to play) .310 2003 Galaxy: 9W-12L-8D 34gf-34ga (1 game to play) .321 2002 United: 9W-14L-5D 31gf-40ga .321 2002 Wizards: 9W-10L-9D 37gf-45ga
If there's a "defining answer" it wouldn't be this. Points-per-game is a better metric, and ignoring shoot-outs, Mutiny finishes last. Goals-for-against is yet more evidence the 2001 Mutiny is the worst MLS team ever.
I think the field was a major factor. The major factor? Yes. I do. Jeffries was no help, the fact that they signed essentially no one until late was no help, but the field sapped the juice of the entire season. That's why I'm not expecting a complete turnaround next year either.
Final table after 2003 regular season finished (<10 wins to qualify -- 2 new entries this year): MLS All-time Worst Win Count (By Win/Gms Pct): .125 1999 MetroStars: 7(3)-25 (a.k.a. 4W-3SOW-5SOL-20L) 32gf-64ga .148 2001 Mutiny: 4W-21L-2D 32gf-68ga .187 1999 Wizards: 8(2)-24 (a.k.a. 6W-2SOW-6SOL-18L) 33gf-53ga .192 2001 Rapids: 5W-13L-8D 36gf-47ga .200 2003 Burn: 6W-19L-5D 35gf-64ga .219 2000 Earthquakes: 7W-17L-8D 35gf-50ga .219 1999 Revolution: 12(5)-20 (a.k.a. 7W-5SOW-7SOL-13L) 38gf-53ga .250 2000 United: 8W-18L-6D 44gf-63ga .250 1999 Fusion: 13(5)-19 (a.k.a. 8W-5SOW-4SOL-15L) 42gf-59ga .259 2001 Revolution: 7W-14L-6D 35gf-52ga .281 1996 Rapids: 11(2)-21 (a.k.a. 9W-2SOW-4SOL-17L) 44gf-59ga .281 1998 Revolution: 11(2)-21 (a.k.a. 9W-2SOW-4SOL-17L) 53gf-66ga .281 1997 Clash: 12(3)-20 (a.k.a. 9W-3SOW-6SOL-14L) 55gf-59ga .281 1999 Mutiny: 14(5)-18 (a.k.a. 9W-5SOW-7SOL-11L) 51gf-51ga .281 1996 Revolution: 15(6)-17 (a.k.a. 9W-6SOW-2SOL-15L) 43gf-56ga .281 1999 Clash: 19(10)-13 (a.k.a. 9W-10SOW-3SOL-10L) 48gf-49ga .300 2003 Galaxy: 9W-12L-8D 35gf-35ga .308 2001 United: 8W-16L-2D 42gf-50ga .321 2002 United: 9W-14L-5D 31gf-40ga .321 2002 Wizards: 9W-10L-9D 37gf-45ga Only the Fire and Crew don't appear on this list.
After analyzing one of the shootout seasons at MLSnet.com history archives, it turns out their goals-for/goals-against totals (used in my tables) are not padded by the results of the shootouts. So the goals-for/goals-against totals in my table represent actual goals during regulation time during shootout seasons (but you could consider them padded by overtime wins in recent history). And I don't care how many times it's quoted in points-per-match, if someone asks me "would you rather watch a team that wins 1-in-7 times or a team that wins 1-in-8?", I'll pick 1-in-7 everytime (meaning the '99 Metros are the all-time suckiest team in MLS history).