When FCD went up 1-0 I told my friend I hope they don't leave Berhalter any room to shoot. They left him room and he's very dangerous with long shots, corners, free kicks and switches. Could he actually be a starter next to Adams? At least Pulisic wouldn't be taking corners. Would also make teams more hesitant to foul our players near goal if they are smart which of course makes our attackers more dangerous.
That last point is a really good one that I hadn't even considered prior. It makes Berhalter's inclusion on the field worth so much more than simply the fact that he CAN hit great free kicks.
Berhalter’s defense at the international level somewhat terrifies me. Offensively, I love what he brings and he has the right attitude. But he’s smaller, not super fast, and with the US he’s had enough mental errors and breakdowns that you have to add some unreliability on decision making on top of the physical concerns. Maybe against some of the weaker opponents and if you anchored Tyler (or the other CM) back. Maybe the question is … against a bunker, who’s the better offensive threat as an arriving CM — Tessman or Berhalter?
There is a bit of misapplication of the 30% number. That includes all free kicks; direct free kicks and penalties not just corner kicks. 2022 World Cup (Qatar): A study found 10 goals were scored from 554 corner kicks (1.8%). Another analysis of the same tournament reported a slightly higher, yet low, conversion rate of 2.6%. 2018 World Cup (Russia): Data showed roughly one goal was scored for every 29 corners (approx 3.4%). 2014 World Cup (Brazil): Data showed roughly one goal was scored for every 36 corners (approx 2.7%).
FM Team of the Midweek * = 23-and-under ** = 20-and-under Player of the Week: JHall(9.6)MOTM Berhalter(9.2)MOTM Vazquez(9.1)MOTM 23-and-under: JHall(9.6)MOTM Vazquez(9.1)MOTM Gozo(8.9)MOTM 20-and-under: JHall(9.6)MOTM Vazquez(9.1)MOTM Gozo(8.9)MOTM Man of the Match Winners: JHall(9.6)** Gozo(8.9)** Ferreira(8.9) Berhalter(9.2) Vazquez(9.1)** Hansen(8.1) Freese(8.0) The kids crushed it. Justin Ellis has the 3rd most successful dribbles per 90*** Arfsten is 4th Hall: at what point do we start to worry about Poland pulling the trigger on a callup? Will Hansen permanently take over the starting GK spot from Zach? Hopefully, Ferree stays a few more years before taking the plunge overseas. This was an insanely strong midweek for right-wingers: Gozo(8.9)MOTM** Ferreira(8.9)MOTM Cowell(8.2)2nd* Arfsten(8.1)2nd JEllis(7.8)2nd** Cavan(7.7)4th** How much further along would San Diego be without the Chucky situation? Surely, Poch will abandon the Arfsten-at-left-back brainwave.
I guess I hadn't thought about penalties being included in that figure. Penalty goals shouldn't be considered for this discussion, so I'd love to take out the penalties and see what remains off of: corners (which you showed here) and direct and indirect free kicks. Those are the 3 different free kick types that Berhalter would take and make a difference on. ETA: I found this article from FIFA discussing this (and using WC22 and CWC25 for comparison). It's waaaay to heavy for me to understand. Maybe someone here with a statistical background will look at it and tell us what it means?
It's really difficult to parse the data on free kicks. If my reading is right, that article says that in WC22, 3.1% of free kicks lead to goals (which went up to 4.1% in CWC25). Which means that 96-97% of free kicks don't end up in goals. But then I realized that most of the free kicks in the game are going to be goal kicks, or kicks in your own half, or otherwise in areas of the field where a goal from a free kick is unrealistic. So, the data would have to then be sorted even finer--perhaps free kicks in the opponent's final third would narrow it down? But I have no better idea (worse, probably) of just how critical those true "opportunity" free kicks are. EDIT: Hey, @edcrocker, this is your wheelhouse, right??
The question isnt what % of corner kicks or free kicks are goals, its what percentage of goals come from free kicks or corners
24% of all goals in the 2022 World Cup were scored from set pieces. In 2018, the figure was 38%. And in 2014, it was 30%. Reasonably, Berhalter would be highly useful in such regards. And against the US's opponents in group play of the upcoming Mundial, he would not be a defensive liability, if playing in the double pivot of a 4231. Admittedly, I'd like to see him at CAM.
The big question that I haven't seen answered yet is: how many of the set piece goals in those stats were scored from the penalty spot? Because those need to be taken out to really assess the importance of the ~30% stat we're all citing.
When we were turning over the Portuguese early on, it was because Brrhalter and Morris and Malik were very mobile. I can say that much for Berhalter's defense. As much as I like Johnny, he would have struggled to do that.
It's such a poor comparison that if you take the context away you'd have no idea which one was supposed to be Davis. It's McGlynn, after all, who's got a great left foot, but not much of a right foot, and some serious athletic limitations.
From FIFA training Center: At WC2022 https://www.fifatrainingcentre.com/...ng-opportunities-generated-from-set-plays.php Total Goals: 172 Total Set Piece Goals: 27 ....Corner Kick Direct Touch Goals 10 ....Corner Kick Phase of Play Goals 5 ....Direct Free Kick 2 ....Indirect Free Kick 10 Total Penalty Goals 17 of the 172 goals, 15 came from corner kicks with 10 from direct touch and 5 from the following phase of play. So about 8.7% including phase of play.
Turkey would be a problem, I'm not sold Paraguay would, Australia might be an issue, I just don't see his defense as being up to it period, it would probably play a lot worse against Turkey, I can't tell with Paraguay, if I remember their goal in the friendly was something I could see him taken to school on but I can't remember, Australia has an unusual group of attacking talent and he'd be vulnerable. I just don't think he's up to this in general, but probably could be hidden against Paraguay, anyone else on the potential strikes me as a serious problem or a moderate problem like Australia.
Well SJE have two losses this year, even though this last match was b team, and both were to Seattle. Guess we know who our playoff kryptonite will be early.
If this Cup was taking place in the same world scouting environment that existed in 2002, I’d seriously consider starting Gozo, and bringing him would be a no brainer. He won’t sneak up on anyone in 2026 though.
Gozo, because in that specific scenario, I prefer Gozo’s explosiveness and creativity to Luna’s doggedness. I’d take both.
After starting the season slowly due to a knee problem, Luna is in good form too. Tie goes to the incumbent. Surely. Luna has played in 17 of our last 20 games. I don't really see it as a Luna versus Gozo issue. I think Luna is firmly "in." I can see Gozo being named an alternate. And I see the alternates as being invited to the next USMNT camp. So.......................that's pretty good for an uncapped teenager.