We've talked about goals added before, and we've even broached the topic of goals added against.
It becomes relevant in the here and now, with Austin FC sixth in goals added differential in the 2026 season. It's a small sample size to be sure: 180 minutes against teams that together only managed to get one point against Verde in those matches played.
But it's encouraging to see Verde in the top fifth of a league table, even though it's not quite the same as being there in the Supporters' Shield table — where Austin is currently eighth.
(Though, in an alternate universe in which the Robert Taylor sub against Minnesota isn't flubbed and Kelvin Yeboah doesn't get free in Verde's defense for a tying goal, Verde would now be tied with Red Bulls for fifth in the Shield standings, with only San Diego, San Jose, LAFC, and Vancouver above them.)
Let's talk a little more about what this all actually means.
