There was a lot of hype around the Vancouver Whitecaps heading into the season.
The team had a dramatic run to make the playoffs in 2014 behind a classy playmaker, excitingyoungplayers all over the field, and a beast on the backline.
What they didn't have was a clinical finisher.
In 2015, that's changed. Following a rough start to the season -- losing 3-1 at home to rivals Toronto FC -- the Whitecaps have ripped off four straight wins behind four goals behind their new star striker Octavio Rivero.
And now, with about 15 percent of the season gone, they're on top of the Supporters' Shield standings. So the question becomes "Is this hot start predictive of a championship finish in Vancouver?"
First a disclaimer: Vancouver have collected 12 points in their first five games, which currently leads the league. The New York Red Bulls, however, have played just three games and have the possibility of reaching 13 points, making them the Supporters’ Shield leader through five games. So we won't really know if the 'Caps were the hottest or second-hottest team out of the gates for another two weeks.
With that caveat in mind, here's the history: In the past five seasons only one team that led the Supporters’ Shield race through five games has gone on to actually take home the Shield. That would be the 2010 LA Galaxy, who accrued 13 points in their first five games and led the season wire-to-wire.
On the other side of the spectrum are the 2013 New York Red Bulls. Mike Petke’s team were winless through their first four games before beating the Philadelphia Union 2-1 in their fifth game.
Check out the recent history of teams chasing the Shield through five games below:
Year |
Supporters' Shield Leader through 5 games |
# of Pts. through 5 games (final place in Shield race) |
Supporters' Shield Winner |
# of Pts. through 5 games |
2010 |
<img alt=" " src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/1230_200x200.png" style="font-size: 9px; height: 50px; width: 50px;"> |
13 (1) |
<img alt=" " src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/1230_200x200.png" style="font-size: 9px; height: 50px; width: 50px;"> |
13 |
2011 |
<img alt=" " src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/1899_200x200.png" style="height: 50px; width: 50px;"> |
12 (3) |
<img alt=" " src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/1230_200x200.png" style="font-size: 9px; height: 50px; width: 50px;"> |
8 |
2012 |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/sportingkc_logo.png" style="width: 50px; height: 56px;"> |
15 (2) |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/SJEQ_Logo_200.png" style="font-size: 9px; width: 50px; height: 50px;"> |
12 |
2013 |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/1903_200x200.png" style="font-size: 9px; width: 50px; height: 50px;"> |
12 (15) |
<img alt=" " src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/prp-newyork_150.png" style="font-size: 9px; height: 50px; width: 50px;"> |
5 |
2014 |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/1903_200x200.png" style="font-size: 9px; width: 50px; height: 50px;"> |
13 (6) |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/3500_200x200.png" style="font-size: 9px; width: 50px; height: 50px;"> |
7 |
Do you think the Whitecaps are the favorites for the Shield? Let us know in the comments below.
