Are Seattle still the favorites in the Supporters Shield race?

After going unbeaten in their opening 12 games, this seemed like a foregone conclusion. That’s why we love MLS, everything and then some happens over the course of a season.

For those who are unfamiliar with the Supporter’s Shield, it is given to the MLS team with the best regular season record as determined by point total. The Shield winners also earn a berth in Concacaf Champions League, with NYRB being the defending champions.

The Sounders are newly-crowned US Open Cup winners following their win over the Union last night. They also sit atop the Western Conference with 54 points through 27 matches (17-7-3). 54 points is good enough for a 3 point lead over the Galaxy for both the West and the Supporter’s Shield. However, Bruce Arena’s side is charging up the table.

Los Angeles have lost only twice since May. The month of May. Wow. LA are also coming off a 7 game unbeaten streak where their attacking play exploded. But going into Saturday’s match against FC Dallas, the Galaxy were slowed by consecutive draws Montreal and San Jose. LA sit on 51 points through 28 games (14-5-9), meaning the Sounders have a game in hand on them.

Seattle have 7 games left to play on the year, including Saturday’s high-profile showdown with New York. Of these remaining 7 games, 5 of them are with current playoff teams (NYRB, FC Dallas, Vancouver, LA twice). Three of their final seven will be played at home, which is always an advantage.

Meanwhile, LA have 6 games to be played, but are all against playoff competition (FC Dallas twice, NYRB, Toronto, Seattle twice). Four of the six will be played at home, but that’s quite a tough road for them.

Seattle lead the league in points per match with 2.00, while LA are in second with 1.82. But of course LA lead the league in goals per match with 2.04, and the Sounders are in second behind them with 1.89. Who is the better team? That question is a tough one, the two teams have met only once so far this season, with LA winning 3-0 back in July. Both sides are extremely well coached and talented, but the Galaxy attack is centered around 3 players; Gyasi Zardes, Robbie Keane, and Landon Donovan. Those three have accounted for 38 goals so far this season, which is more than 66% of the team’s scoring. Meanwhile, Seattle’s attack is led by Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins who have 24 goals between them, good for 47% of their team’s scoring. Seattle’s attack is more balanced through the team, but LA’s is more potent.

Defensively, LA have the better goal difference (27) over Seattle (14). That is very impressive considering Bruce Arena has had to play with a makeshift back four during stretches of the season. However, with an attack like that, it’s hard to keep up with them.

Without statistics, it’s hard to go against a team as hot as LA right now. Their attacking ability is just off the charts, and their team chemistry is through the roof. Not only are they a team that is together, they get results from it. It’s one thing to be a team off the field, but it’s something totally different to be a team on the field, and they have done that over the past few weeks and months. There is a reason they’re the hottest team in MLS. If this keeps up, they’ll be lifting the Supporters Shield.

Aug 20, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid (right) accepts a silver plate commemorating his 200th career MLS victory from Seattle Sounders FC owner and general manager Adrian Hanauer before a game against the San Jose Earthquakes at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports