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MLS scoring up from 2004, but third lowest in history

The 2005 MLS regular season saw an increase in goalscoring over 2004, but the goals-per-game average was the third lowest in the history of the 10-year-old league:

2005 — 2.87
2004 — 2.61
2003 — 2.89
2002 — 3.01
2001 — 3.28
2000 — 3.19
1999 — 2.86
1998 — 3.57
1997 — 3.26
1996 — 3.37

How MLS scoring compares to foreign leagues

Here's how MLS's goals-per-game average in the 2005 regular season compares to leagues around the world:

3.03 Mexican First Division
2.91 German Bundesliga
2.87 Major League Soccer
2.78 Brazilian First Division
2.58 Spain's La Liga
2.57 English Premier League
2.53 Italian Serie A
2.45 Argentine First Division
2.17 French Ligue 1

Note: European league figures are from 2004-05 seasons.
Brazilian stats are from the 2004 national championship.
Mexican and Argentine figures are compiled from 2004-05 Apertura and Clausura championships.
The Argentine Apertura had a 2.19 average; its Clausura 2.71. Mexico's Apertura had a 3.14 average; its Clausura 2.91.

Taylor Twellman finished the 2005 MLS regular season with a league-high 17 goals, the highest total since Carlos Ruiz hit 24 in 2002.

2005 Taylor Twellman (New England) 17 goals
2004 Brian Ching (San Jose), Eddie Johnson (Dallas) 12
2003 Carlos Ruiz (Los Angeles), Taylor Twellman (New England) 15
2002 Carlos Ruiz (Los Angeles) 24
2001 Alex Pineda Chacon (Miami) 19
2000 Mamadou Diallo (Tampa Bay) 26
1999 Stern John (Columbus), Jason Kreis (Dallas), Roy Lassiter (D.C. United) 18
1998 Stern John (Columbus) 26
1997 Jaime Moreno (D.C. United) 16
1996 Roy Lassiter (Tampa Bay) 27

D.C. United was the highest scoring team during the 2005 MLS regular season while Real Salt Lake produced the fewest goals.