May 2, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
Charlotte FC News Release
Charlotte FC presently stands with 11 points from 10 matches – a tally that may seem lower than the team’s aspirations. As they approach the one-third mark of the season, The Crown face a pivotal period that could shape their campaign.
In May, Charlotte is slated to contest four out of their six matches at Bank of America Stadium, where they’ve amassed 10 of their 11 points across five fixtures. Prior to a recent setback against Minnesota United, the team boasted an impressive 14-match unbeaten streak at home across all competitions stretching back to 2023.
This upcoming month presents an opportunity for Charlotte to reignite their season in front of an always raucous crowd at home.
Significance of Home Advantage
In every soccer league across the world, getting results at home is the cornerstone of a successful season. This holds especially true in Major League Soccer. Compared to Europe’s top four leagues, America’s top-flight stands out as the most challenging league to secure positive results away from home.
A glance at Points Per Game (PPG) averages in away matches in Europe’s top four leagues and MLS reveals that, on average, MLS teams earn fewer points on the road (based on the 2023 MLS season and 2022-23 European season):
MLS – 0.98 PPG
Premier League – 1.08 PPG
La Liga – 1.09 PPG
Bundesliga – 1.08 PPG
Serie A – 1.2 PPG
Various factors contribute to this trend, including extensive travel distances resulting in diminished away fan support and a higher level of parity across MLS. Consequently, it heightens the importance of home results in the league.
With the introduction of the new playoff format, the average minimum points required to secure a playoff berth over the past two seasons stands at 42 points (1.24 PPG). Hypothetically, a team that wins all 17 home fixtures would amass 51 points (1.5 PPG), sufficient for playoff qualification without securing a single away point.
While achieving perfection at home is unrealistic, it underscores the significance of a formidable home record in propelling a team forward.
More Points Per Game Thoughts
Let’s look at this from a deeper Points Per Game perspective. If The Crown wins all four home games in May (12 points), they would be averaging at least 1.5 Points Per Game (PPG) over the month. If they pick up points in their additional two away matches, that PPG would rise even further.
Why is 1.5 PPG a critical benchmark? First, we saw that the 42-point…
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