Here is a closer look at some of the numbers from the match between Atlanta United and New York City FC.
0.039
There is a growing subculture of data freaks that are slowing moving into soccer. Data has long been a part of other big time sports, baseball in particular. Soccer has long been a hold out with many claiming that data provides little insight into how goals are scored. This is changing, the Audi Index and other metrics are being used to gauge the quality of individual play. Also they idea of “expected goals” is gaining more widespread attention. I will not go into the details of expected goals, if you are interested here is the great overview on goal.com.
That long introduction leads to the first number: 0.039. That was the expected goal rating for the final goal that NYCFC’s Alexander Ring 72nd minute goal assisted by David Villa. Typically a high percentage would be in the 0.3 to 0.5 range, in this case it was 0.039! So take heart Atlanta United fans, that goal was near miraculous. Which is no surprise if you see the work that David Villa did to keep possession dribbling around before passing it off to Ring.
4
The number wins in row before NYCFC came into town. Atlanta United were flying high, and had not relinquished a point at home all season, and had suffered a set back since the opening day tragedy in Houston. The disappointment was palatable in Mercedes Benz Stadium as the fans willed the home side to find a winner in the last 10 minutes. NYFCF looked tired and slow, there were several opportunities but NYCFC hung tough and did not allow a goal in spite of Atlanta peppering the goal and taking three shots in the last five minutes of play.
45%
For the third match in a row, Atlanta United has ceded the majority of possession to the opposition. This is a stark contrast to last years club that dominated possession, particularly at home in Mercedes Benz Stadium. Last week LAFC held possession for 59% of the match and this week NYCFC held possession for 55%. It seems that Manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino is satisfied with the more direct approach the team is taking this year. As other teams hold possession, Atlanta United has been deadly on the counter, using the speed of Miguel Almirón, Héctor “Tito” Villalba, and Josef Martínez to break and score.
80
Julian Gressel, the 24 year old German who won rookie of the year last year, looked to be the odd man out at the beginning of the season. With the additions of 18 year old Argentine phenome Ezequiel Barco and US national team player Darlington Nagbe, there did not seem to be enough space on the field for Gressel. However, with the injury to Barco, Gressel has made himself an invaluable part of the Atlanta United attack. He was named to the team of the week after a goal and an assist a couple weeks back, and has continued to be integral of what Atlanta United has been able to accomplish on this five match unbeaten streak. Last weekend against NYCFC Gressel had 80 touches. That is almost 20 more touches than any other player including playmaker Almirón. It will be interesting to see what Tata Martino plans do with all the attacking prowess coming back in the next couple of weeks.
Atlanta United FC
MLS
