I have never understood why players don't hit the middle more often. I´m sure it has the biggest success rate of all the three choices by far
The logic is basically that they don't want to look stupid if the GK just stands them up. But you look stupid if you miss/get your penalty saved no matter where it goes, so who cares? Pound it down the middle.
Dempsey always did that. Actually it's good for players with power. Always the risk of a trailing hand or leg but Asprilla has power if nothing else so right choice for him.
I´m sure that´s the reason. But you also have to think that keepers look way more stupid if they just stay in the middle and the ball goes to either side. During regulation time, keeper may think of that. But it's very uncommon to see a keeper stay in the middle during a pk shootout.
There’s a book I read a while back called From Twelve Yards that goes into all the statistics, strategy and psychology of penalty taking. I bought it after I missed a pen in a rec league, lol
Happy to see Portland advance but could they please learn to waste some possession time before they meet Sporting? Their possession game is beyond pathetic. Go at Zusi who is no fullback.
Yep. If you're a regular penalty taker, you obviously can't shoot down the middle regularly, but if you're shooter #3+, and you're in a shootout, you absolutely can.
On the bright side, it will mean Portland's loss will be even more heart-wrenching if it happens in MLS Cup.
Also, unless it´s a Panenka shot, shooters are rarely criticized when shooting in the middle. However, if the keeper doesn't move it's normally perceived as "lack of effort" or something more often. Shooter has the advantage there but as you say, it can't be often. shooter #3 for sure doesn't take a lot of penalties in his life, he can even feel insecure and in that case keeper sense that and throw to their best foot. If i'm nervous in a shootout I hit a strong one just in the middle
I've never seen a stat like this (it's not often I look, but this seems extreme) - look at the number of crosses by Seattle. This has to be an error.
I'm watching the MLS live review show right now, and they're showing Savarese talking to journalists in a post-game presser. Not a single one has asked him yet about his players thinking that they won after extra time. This is journalistic malpractice. EDIT: One did, and Savarese dodged the question. He definitely had no idea about that.
I will never forget this Manchester United game, in which they crossed the ball 81 times in a 2-2 draw. Whenever I'm watching a game now where a team seems to have no ideas besides crossing it repeatedly, I call it MoyesBall.
It's clear he didn't know that either, otherwise he would have told his players at some point. Honestrly I also didn't know until they said so in TV. And yeah, soccer journalist are terrible... everywhere.
Schmetzer saying it's the worst loss he's had (even though Seattle technically won - yes, I'm holding onto that). Of note, this was his 45th Seattle-Portland game.
As potentially did you, now that you could be facing Sporting in the next round - no peace in your household!
That was the most hilariously awful playoff coaching gaffe since Mike Petke didn't know the caution accumulation rules back with the Red Bulls. While I don't care for the Sounders, I'm mildly annoyed that Savarese didn't get punished for it.