Henry on Trapp after Crew Win

"Today they were better than us, there's nothing you can do. Wil Trapp was outstanding today. I know Higuain usually get all [the attention] and the striker scored two goals, Finlay wasn't bad either, but Wil Trapp is the key of that team and today was, given the tempo of that team, bring the ball out from the back. Higuain doesn't have to drop and get the ball. He will get it in good position because Wil Trapp does his job, he brings the ball out for them. Difficult to stop, he has for him a good future, he's American, you guys should be happy. Today, I thought he was the difference."

-------------------------------------------

Listen to the full interview HERE.

Stumbled Upon: MLS Danger men

Digging into chances can be murky waters but something was uncovered today. Who is creating the most real chances for their team. Chances as in Shots on Goal. It's a tricky stat in that; what is really a shot on goal. Does it have to be within the goal mouth? One that the opposing goal keeper has to get a paw on?

For soccer across the land shots on goal are a stat forged out of 100+ years of following the game. Major League Soccer tried and failed at creating their own rules in the past, but in recent years has gotten better. This year, for example, they have taken large strides in making shots on goal (and all other stats) fall more in line with what the rest of the world is doing.

Good.

MLS welcomed in Opta Stats this year and it's paying off. Data can now be measured equally and fairly with other major news and athletic outlets.

Where am I going with this? Oh, Dangermen. Who prey tell, in the mighty MLS, is creating real chances on goal, as in, Shots on Goal?

First thing to do is eliminate outlying data. As in; Guys that have 2 shots in 4 minutes. In doing so I choose to go with players that have more then 10 shots on goal this season. I thought it seemed reasonable considering the MLS season is now almost half way done.

Wow, that really trims it down. Only 38 (out of 419 that have seen time) players in the league have 10 accurate shots? Ummm, Okay.

Next up; who has the most in the shortest amount of time. No problem. Let's dig in. Deep Dive.

Wait... The MLS leader in chance creation is Tom Heinemann for the Crew? Yep. 1.8 shots on goal per 90 minutes. Best in the league. Yes. Heinemann. It could be argued but he is the most dangerous striker in the league when looking at it in this simple way.

Who are the rest? Well, you are about to become in the know. Shots on Goal per 90 on the left.

1.8 : Tom Heinemann
1.6 : Charlie Davies
1.6 : Marco Pappa
1.6 : Chris Wondolowski
1.4 : Fredy Montero
1.3 : Andres Mendoza
1.3 : Will Bruin
1.3 : Justin Braun
1.2 : Teal Bunbury
1.2 : Luke Rodgers

The Crew have 2 players on the list. That plays out in terms of the increase in goals over the past month. What about players converting Shots on Goal in to actual goals? NO GOALS OFF PENALTY KICKS INCLUDED. Here are those converting SOG at a rate over 50%. AKA, guys that are not only hitting the target, but putting it in the net. These are the guys to bottle up.

62.2% Thierry Henry
56.9% Danny Mwanga
55.6% Andres Mendoza
55.4% Landon Donovan
55.0% Chris Wondolowski
50.4% Luke Rodgers

31% is the average conversion out of the 38 players with over 10 SOG this year. Chance Creation. It takes 11 to do it, but these are the guys making it happen and finishing the job.

Crew Wins, Henry Watches

A beautiful night in Columbus to catch a Crew game. The Crew dominated the game winning with two beautiful goals. Thierry Henry was there in one of the spectator boxes. The stadium was about 70% full and there were more then a few Henry jerseys. Chatter after the game was about people trying to catch a glimpse of him. Frankie Hejduk for the Crew had a standout game playing in the back and making some runs up the sidelines. He was red carded in the 89th minute for an aggressive play.

All three Crew fan clubs seemed to be there, sitting in the Nordecke. The Crew Supporters Union, La Turbina Amarilla, and the Hudson Street Hooligans. I've come across some folks from the Union. They use to set up camp at Claddagh (where I caught some of the games) but had a falling out during the US v England game there when the pub expected 600 people and 2,600 showed up. Now they congregate down the block from me at Jimmy V's pub.

Crew Stadium is a great place to watch a game. It's also unique being the first soccer specific stadium in the country. Of all the sporting events I've been to it remains one of my favorite places. Easy to get in, fans are great, team is good and easy out. Doesn't hurt to have warm and breezy mid-western summer evenings either.