[FlashMan]

Nothing earth shattering or anything, but statistical nonetheless.

http://www.mlsnet.com/content/03/firstXI0909.html

[Nutmeg]

No, not earth shattering, but I think some interesting research can be done:

• 11 - DJ Countess, off the top of my head, usually records 6-10 saves per game. It would be interesting to check his 2.02 goals against average against the average # of shots per game, and the average # of shots on goal per game against Dallas. Then compare that information against other GK's to get a better picture of how well Countess is really playing. It could be enlightening.
  
• 8 - I have always believed that soccer is absolutely the toughest sport to make a comeback in. It would be interesting to research Columbus' results and compare them against other teams in the league.
  
• 5 - Why do Damani Ralph and Ante Razov get so many more shots than anyone else? Definitely something worth researching. Absolutely interesting.

[mpruitt]

i wish they'd do more stuff like this. i find it interesting at least. Hirdt's stuff tends to be a bit too esoteric trivia for me. But anything in the mold of Jayson Starks's Useless Info is golden in my bool.

[Karl K]

Originally posted by Nutmeg
[*]5 - Why do Damani Ralph and Ante Razov get so many more shots than anyone else? Definitely something worth researching. Absolutely interesting.[/list]

One way to research this would be to look at all the forwards in MLS, normalize their shots by minutes played, and then see if Ante and Damani shot totals, to use statistical terms, reject the null hypothesis.

Having seen these two a lot, and from a purely observational and, perhaps subjective, viewpoint, I would say the following.

--Both never met a shot they didn't like. That means they sometimes take shots they probably shouldn't.

--Both can really rip it, and appear to enjoy doing so apart from the result.

--Because one is left footed, and the other right, this footedness allows optimal spacing on the field for both of them to get more oppotunities, in that "the whole is more than the sum of the parts."

--Both have this ability to take good positions at or immediately below the penalty arc, which gives them maximum angles.

--Individually, Ante is a very clever crossfield dribbler and as such, often finds just slivers of daylight to launch one, even as his mark beleives he has acceptable goalside position on him. He is also a terrific poacher in front of goal (which has often been a "knock" on him).

--Individually, Damani has great speed and escapability; he is faster and stronger than Ante. What is particulary striking is his ability to get on-frame shots after slashing runs or carries to the near and far post. Whereas most players would opt to send the ball back to the six or the penalty spot for a teammate with a better angle to run onto -- what some coaches might consider the more "appropriate" choice -- Damani often opts for the tight angled on-the-ground shot UNDERNEATH the keeper far post across the face of goal. The first time he did it and scored, I thought he was lucky. The SECOND time he did it, and scored, I thought -- "Man, take that shot EVERY time" -- as this replica goal suggested the application of conscious technique to the occasion.

[goal123]

intresting is: DJ Countess is 4th in saves with 3 games less than everyone else, and 2nd in catches and punches (3 games less etc.) If his team was scoring, DJ would be up for keeper of the year. He has had 3 man of the matches and incredible saves all year long despite the lack of positive morale. Just imagine what the future brings for him.

[FlashMan]

as far as Ralph and Razov go, another thing to look at is how accurate the attacking midfielders - or really anyone who launches a pass into the attacking 1/3 - are. i.e., do the passes in the last 1/3 connect?

[ChrisE]

Originally posted by goal123
intresting is: DJ Countess is 4th in saves with 3 games less than everyone else, and 2nd in catches and punches (3 games less etc.) If his team was scoring, DJ would be up for keeper of the year. He has had 3 man of the matches and incredible saves all year long despite the lack of positive morale. Just imagine what the future brings for him.

I disagree. DJ's stats (at least the ones you mentioned) look artificially good because of the poor defence he's playing behind, just like some others (GAA) look artificially bad. However, DJ's save percentage is only 65.5% (101/154), more than ten points behind hartman, walker, onstad, and howard, and almost 10 behind rimando and thornton. Hartman has faced only 2 fewer shots, but allowed 16 fewer goals. I think Countess has a bright future, but he has played about as well as the rest of the burn this year.