Which MLS Team Finishes Best?

In a recent entry on the Houston Chronicle's player blog, Brian Ching voiced his frustration with the Dynamo's lack of a killer instinct over the past three games. After scoring three goals in two consecutive wins at the beginning of July, the Dynamo have since struggled to find the back of the net, tying the Revolution and Red Bulls 1-1 and losing to the Rapids 1-0.

"We are tying or losing to teams that only get one or two shots on goal a game and are scoring on those opportunities," Ching wrote. "On the other hand, we are getting 5 to 10 shots on goal a game, which ends with either a single goal or no goal at all."

Ching went on to write that the team need not panic.

"It is highly important that as a team we do not let this frustration result in anger. It is then that people start pointing fingers and teams fall apart," he said.

Neither Ching, nor any of his teammates, should lose much sleep over this recent dry spell. They are still one of the league's best when it comes to finishing, pocketing 30 percent of their total shots on goal. Only FC Dallas is more efficient with its shots on frame.

Below is the percentage of times each team scores when it hits a shot on goal. (I figure this percentage gives you a more accurate perception of the amount of solid chances each team converts because shots on goal tend to develop out of clear, open chances. I didn't include shots that missed the frame because plenty of those come on wild blasts from outside the area. Yes, I am aware that guys sky wide-open chances from the six or send open headers wide of the goal, but I would argue that by eliminating the number of shots that not put on goal, I have eliminated more half and quarter chances than I have eliminated legitimate opportunities to score).

Here's the list:


1. DAL - 33.3%
2. HOU - 30.3%
3. COLORADO - 29.7%
4. CHI - 27.7%
5. CHIVAS - 27.1%
6. D.C. - 27%
7. RSL - 27%
8. N.E. - 26.8%
9. N.Y. - 23.2
10. K.C. - 20%
11. L.A. - 19.5%
12. COLUMBUS - 19%