The Vancouver Whitecaps 2017 Major League Soccer has been a confusing one. As Edmondk noted, the Whitecaps have had a tendency to swan-dive in the summer. This year, that has not really occurred. As a result, they have an opportunity to really make some noise in the Fall, heading into the playoffs. However, many feel that they are just as likely to fall apart. Why? Well, one reason is certainly built-in pessimism. However, another reason is that many of us do not know what type of team are the 2017 Vancouver Whitecaps.
In an effort to understand what statistics contribute to success in MLS, we have been producing a series called Beyond the Numbers (I realize it should really be Behind the Numbers, but whatever).