Noticed that on the Supporters' Shield Race page on the Official Site (http://www.mlssoccer.com/standings/supporters-shield), as at May-19, NYRB are currently ranked on top, ahead of FCD. But on what basis? Both teams are equal on Goals Scored, Goals Conceded and therefore Goal Difference, but NYRB have played 2 games more thus having a lower PPG than FCD. Both teams have not met this season so far, so there are no H2H records to speak of too. Maybe some new tie-breaker rules are already in the works? Any insiders mind shed some light?
The tie-breakers for 2013 are as below: http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/competition-rules-and-regulations Is "Most Wins" a new criteria for 2013? Don't recall that it was there in 2012. Was this new criteria announced earlier in the season? Can't recall it too...
Base on the latest tie-breakers (provided no changes further down the season), NYRB and FCD are tied for Criteria: #1. Most Wins (at 7 each),#2. Most Goals For (at 20 each), . Most Goal Differential (at 5 each). As for Criteria #4, Disciplinary Points, the Official Site still shows 2012 points (through Oct. 21, 2012)!! NYRB is indeed "leading" FCD at 540 vs 556 (the fewer points the better). http://www.mlssoccer.com/stats/disciplinary-points/2012 Tried to look up for the 2013 link myself as below, but to no avail... http://www.mlssoccer.com/stats/disciplinary-points/2013 If Criteria #4 doesn't apply at this juncture, then it would come to Criteria #5 (Road Goals), where NYRB is indeed leading (11 vs 8). Code: # Club PTS GP PPG W L T GF GA GD HG HGD RG RGD 1 New York Red Bulls 24 14 1.71 7 4 3 20 15 5 9 5 11 0 2 FC Dallas 24 12 2 7 2 3 20 15 5 12 8 8 -3 Hence, the Official Site is correct.
Also noticed another inconsistency with the ranking of Chicago Fire & Toronto FC, something is wrong with MLS...