A look at key stats for the Chicago Fire through four weeks

Soccer is a cruel game. More than many other sports, it is capable of producing unfair results. Even when a team is struggling, there are stats that can help show whether a team is just a victim of bad luck, or whether the results on the pitch match what should be happening.

Unfortunately, the stats show through four games, the Chicago Fire are pretty bad:

• Second-worst (tied) in MLS in goals scored (3), ahead of only FC Cincinnati (2)
• Second-worst (tied) in MLS in goals allowed (9), behind only FC Cincinnati & Minnesota United (10)
• Fifth-worst in passing completion (77.31%), ahead of D.C. United, Houston Dynamo, Philadelphia Union, and New York Red Bulls
• Even in xG, where the Fire have traditionally been strong under Raphael Wicky, they’re only mid-pack at 4.9 xG. In xGA—expected goals allowed—they’re third worst in the Eastern Conference at 6.4 xGA, according to FBRef.

Where are the Fire above-average?

• Seventh in MLS in interceptions (56)
• Tenth in key passes (36)
• Fourth in blocks (67)

And, here’s an interesting one:

• Second-fewest amount of players used (18) - they’re tied with seven teams, and ahead of three more that used only (17).