— There’s only one remaining American men’s professional soccer team—across Major League Soccer, the North American Soccer League and the United Soccer League—that has won all of its matches this season: the Carolina RailHawks, whose four-game consecutive victories streak will be put to another stern test this weekend when they visit the New York Cosmos.

In the meantime, RailHawks supporters are left to luxuriate in their team’s strong start. The RailHawks are 4-0-0 with 12 points, three points clear of second-place Minnesota United, which Carolina defeated at WakeMed Soccer Park to open the season.

The foremost prize at stake is the NASL Spring Season championship, awarded to the team that finishes the league’s 10-game Apertura with the most points. The winner is guaranteed to host a semifinals match in the NASL’s four-team, post-season playoffs in November.

Thanks to the NASL’s new statistical partnership with Opta, we’re privy to some analytics that help explain the RailHawks’ decisive performance. Much praise has been heaped on the RailHawks revamped defense, which surrendered the second-most goals in the NASL last year. Through four games this season, Carolina is comfortably middle of the league table in goals conceded, and newfound depth along the RailHawks’ back line has allowed the team to weather an early spate of suspension and injuries.

The more precise reasons for Carolina’s quick start are its scoring and distribution efficiency compared to the rest of the league. Yes, Carolina leads the league in goals scored (9). But there are several statistical categories where the RailHawks thus far hold a decided advantage over their NASL adversaries.

Assists: As a team, the RailHawks have eight assists through four matches, at least double every other NASL competitor.

Team Assists

Carolina RailHawks -- 8

Minnesota United -- 4

Rayo OKC -- 4

Miami FC -- 3

New York Cosmos -- 3

Tampa Bay Rowdies -- 2

FC Edmonton -- 1

Fort Lauderdale Strikers -- 1

Jacksonville Armada -- 1

Ottawa Fury -- 0

Indy Eleven -- 0

Indeed, midfielder Nazmi Albadawi’s league-leading four assists is as many or more than every other NASL team. Albadawi has also created a league-leading nine scoring chances, while teammates Tiyi Shipalane’s six chances created is tied for sixth and Brian Shriver’s five is tied for 10th.

Shot accuracy and conversion rates: The RailHawks have put 60 percent of their shot attempts on target, more than any other team. The only team within 12 percent of that rate is Rayo OKC.

Shot Accuracy (excluding blocked shots)

Carolina RailHawks -- 60%

Rayo OKC -- 59.3%

FC Edmonton -- 47.8%

New York Cosmos -- 47.2%

Tampa Bay Rowdies -- 40%

Miami FC -- 39.4%

Minnesota United -- 36.6%

Jacksonville Armada -- 35.3%

Ottawa Fury -- 33.3%

Indy Eleven -- 32%

Fort Lauderdale Strikers -- 25%

Meanwhile, Carolina is converting over 25 percent of its total shot attempts into goals, well above the rest of the league.

Shot conversion rate

Carolina RailHawks -- 25.7%

Rayo OKC -- 18.5%

Minnesota United -- 17.1%

New York Cosmos -- 16.7%

Miami FC -- 15.2%

Indy Eleven -- 12%

Jacksonville Armada -- 8.8%

FC Edmonton -- 8.7%

Tampa Bay Rowdies -- 8.6%

Fort Lauderdale Strikers -- 8.3%

Ottawa Fury -- 3%

Crosses: Carolina is a team that likes to widen the field and utilize its midfielders and fullbacks in attacking wing positions. Although at least four teams have a higher percentage of overall completed passes than Carolina, no team has been more accurate with their crosses than the RailHawks.

Cross Accuracy

Carolina RailHawks -- 32.7%

Jacksonville Armada -- 26.7%

Indy Eleven -- 21.2%

Fort Lauderdale Strikers -- 22.9%

Ottawa Fury -- 21.2%

FC Edmonton -- 20%

Minnesota United -- 17.6%

Tampa Bay Rowdies -- 16.9%

Rayo OKC -- 15.2%

New York Cosmos -- 11.1%

Miami FC -- 10%

Defensive discipline: Coaches like a bit of bite in their squads, so lack of fouls can betray a lack of defensive effort. But too many fouls not only hands over possession, but they often provide the opposition with set pieces and dangerous scoring opportunities.

Carolina ranks in the bottom half of the league in their percentage of tackles and duels won. But it ranks near the top of the league in fewest fouls conceded—indeed, no team that has played four games has conceded fewer fouls.

Fouls Conceded (thru 4 games, unless otherwise noted)

Indy Eleven -- 32 (3 games)

Rayo OKC -- 32 (3 games)

Carolina RailHawks -- 40

Jacksonville Armada -- 40 (3 games)

Fort Lauderdale Strikers -- 41 (3 games)

Ottawa Fury -- 49

New York Cosmos -- 50

Minnesota United -- 51

FC Edmonton -- 54

Miami FC -- 64

Tampa Bay Rowdies -- 67