A bit of MLS history went under the radar in LAFC’s 4-2 win at Toronto FC last Saturday. It’s ok if you missed it.
But since the League instituted ties in 2000, LAFC became the first team in its inaugural season to win six away matches. With its sixth away win, the Black & Gold surpassed the previous record of five by the Seattle Sounders in 2009 and Orlando City SC in 2015.
Against Toronto, LAFC got back to what they did best on the road.
After winning just once in its last seven away matches, LAFC looked resolute on a result from the opening whistle. They frustrated TFC in the defensive third with team defending and made the most of their opportunities going forward, rushing out to a 3-0 lead.
It was an impressive win over a desperate Toronto team that poured numbers forward late to salvage the match - Carlos Vela’s acute-angle strike eventually finished TFC off in the dying moments of the match. And it was reminiscent of the style LAFC rode to four away wins to start 2018, the most by any MLS side with six or more away matches to begin a season.
The sixth away win is yet another milestone in what has been a season of history for LAFC. The Black & Gold’s 46 points through 27 matches has them four points ahead of Atlanta United’s 2017 pace for most points in an inaugural season – a modern-era MLS record (LAFC is just four points off the pace of the 1998 Chicago Fire, but that was before ties).
And while six away wins might not seem like a lot, consider this. Last season, only three teams in MLS had six or more away wins, and one of those teams raised MLS Cup at the end of the year. In 2016, the number of teams with six or more away wins was just two. In fact, in the last three seasons, six away wins is a pretty good predictor of not just regular-season performance, but playoff success as well.
Here are the away wins of the last six teams to play for MLS Cup:
2017 – Toronto FC (7), Seattle Sounders (3)
2016 – Seattle Sounders (4), Toronto FC (6)
2015 – Portland Timbers (7), Columbus Crew (6)
It’s not a direct correlation, but it makes sense. Teams able to grind out victories on the road at a better rate than their competitors should fare better when the matches mean that much more come playoff time. And speaking of playoffs. Since 2012, only one team with six or more away wins in a season has failed to even make the playoffs (Portland Timbers in 2014).
Three away matches remain for LAFC in 2018 – they’ll be home for consecutive matches starting with the New England Revolution on Sept. 15. With those three away matches, LAFC have a shot at doing something no team has done since the 2012 San Jose Earthquakes* – win nine away matches in one season.
Yet another chance to make history.
* Bonus Stat: LAFC defender Steven Beitashour played for Toronto 2016-2017 and was a member of the 2012 San Jose Earthquakes. He knows a thing or two about being on teams with a great pedigree on the road.
