I thought it might be interesting to have all the data in one place. Does anyone know how good the 4-4 record after 8 games is compared to other rapids seasons? I'll start out with an indisputable claim: Clavijo's offense is on a much better track this year. 2007 Rapids Golden Boot Competition Jovan Kirovski------------------6 Goals Herculez Gomez----------------4 Goals Roberto Brown------------------3 Goals Colin Clark----------------------3 Goals Connor Casey-------------------2 Goals Mike Petke----------------------1 Goals Facundo Erpen------------------1 Goals Jose Cancela--------------------1 Goals Kyle Beckerman----------------1 Goals Ugo Ihemelu-------------------1 Goals Mehdi Ballouchy---------------1 Goals Omar Cummings--------------1 Goals Jacob Peterson----------------1 Goals Nicolas Hernandez------------1 Goals After not even a third of the way through the season, 10 rapids have scored at least one goal Compared with 14 throughout the entire 2007 campaign. Omar now has 3 goals, which have all been from the run of play. As you can see, he's only one goal away from matching herculez's total, is already ahead of casey and we all know that Jovan took the penalties. In the first 8 games, the rapids have maintained 1.625 Goals per game, compared with 0.96 of last year. Also, slightly (insignificantly) better than last year is the goals against statistic. Right now it's at about 1.12 compared to 1.13 of last year. Please feel free to post more information that you feel is relevant. I don't have access to data from years past and it was a mild stretch to even dig up the goal totals from last year.
Interesting stats. I do like the 3-5-2 formation. With Petersen and Clark on the wings we have the speed to get back on "d" and still have a good high pressure attack. Keep it up F.C.
Pts after 8 games: 1999 - 14 (Would be 16 under current rules) 2002 - 13 (Would be 11 under current rules) 2008 - 12 2007 - 12 2006 - 11 Those are the top 5 seasons after 8 games.
A couple of draws that we deserved, ie.. Kansas City, and Houston, and I would be more than ecstatic... But all in all, I'll take it.... Our improvement through young players from last year to this year is astonishing. It's almost like they have a new team mentality. Marcelo talked about it with Bouna on From the Pitch. When we are tied and near a draw, we don't pack it in like last year, we continue to attack and search for that W.
An interesting thing about Jasonma's stats are the fact that this year and the past two years, the team has started well. Three of the top five seasons are the last three including this year. This year feels much more different than the past two. I didn't feel a sense of commitment by the players to the team\system during the last two seasons. I was just waiting for things to fall apart. This season seems different. A great indicator for that is the way I see Pablo playing. He is playing much more under control, actually coming forward into the attack at times. There were times in the past that I didn't get the feeling that he was really committed to the team as much as he was committed to playing hard. This year, he seems to really be involved and determined. I get that same feeling from the rest of the players. It is a WELCOME change.
This year is a lot different. 1. A lot more energy on the field. 2. Movement off the ball. (except against San Jose) 3. Jovan is not playing. 4. The effort has been there for 90 minutes, even on the road. 5. Jovan is not playing. 6. Christian Gomez is the real deal. 7. We have a forward who scored in back to back games. 8. Jovan is not playing. 9. It's Bouna Time. 10. Mastroeni is not fouling recklessly and getting red carded. 11. Did I mention? Jovan is not playing!!
12. Clavijo hasn't used Pablo as a CB 13. ? Actually I wouldn't be any more excited this year than last year. It was about this time last year that they had a few extra games at home, did alright, and then managed to go on 5 game losing streak and winless in June and July.