Stat Check Tuesday
- Updated: April 7, 2015
Photo credit: New England Revolution
After picking up their second straight win in Colorado, which extended their current unbeaten run to three, let’s take a look at where the Revolution rank in some important statistical categories:
(Note: the following statistics can be found on whoscored.com and squawka.com, both of which use information gathered from OPTA to calculate its figures.)
Total chances (key passes + assists): 40 (10th)
Analysis: The final score may not suggest it, but the Revolution created only six attacking chances during Saturday’s game, less than half the number they created against Montreal (13). Consider that the Revolution were outshot 17-9, and were generally outperformed in the final third by the Rapids. However, there is something to be said about efficiency, which is exactly what the Revolution were on Saturday. Two goals from only six chances is heck of a lot better than zero goals from 11 chances (sorry, Colorado).
Passing accuracy: 74.4 percent (15th)
Analysis: As surprising as it may have been to see the locals play the possession game early on in Commerce City, the fact of the matter remains that giveaways remain a problem for this team. That was evident during Saturday’s match, as Colorado was more precise with its distribution in the attacking half (66 percent to 61 percent) and final third (67 percent to 51 percent). Clearly, Daigo Kobayashi’s absence was felt.
Shooting accuracy: 38 percent (18th)
Analysis: The Revolution’s accuracy number actually did not change from last week, although their ranking dropped significantly. The only plausible explanation is that, overall, better shots were taken across the league this weekend than they were in previous weeks.
Defensive actions (interceptions + blocked shots + clearances): 228 (10th)
Analysis: After a relatively quiet day at the office against the Earthquakes last week, the Revolution defense found itself rather busy on Saturday. The Rapids came out flying in the second half, and the Revolution had to hold on for dear life just to keep the sheet clean. It’s worth noting that the above stat does not take into account the three shots that Colorado fired off the post.
Performance score*: 492 (17th)
*Squawka.com uses an aggregate of key stats such as goals scored and conceded, defensive actions and chances created and combines them into an overall score.
Analysis: It’s somewhat mystifying to see the Revolution ranked so low in this department. True, they were ranked at the bottom only three weeks ago. Coming out of the gate with a negative-5 goal differential probably didn’t help matters. Then again, you would think that picking up two clean sheets and going unbeaten in three straight would’ve allowed for a higher ranking.
How does their current score compare to last year’s through the first four games? After their 2-1 win at San Jose on Apr. 6, 2014, the club’s performance score was 268.
Did you know? Bobby Shuttleworth’s 16 saves is the fourth-highest total in MLS, only four behind the leader, San Jose’s David Bingham.
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