Five Games In: Chivas USA's Offensive Evaluation
Today, we turn our attention to another aspect of Chivas USA's season so far: the offense. We compare the numbers so far to 2012, and find some considerable differences.
Trendspotting
Looking at March in MLS: DER, PR, and Grades!
We take a look at the defensive performances in MLS last month across three different categories, including our ongoing work in Defensive Efficiency Rating and Perseverance Rating.
Five Games In: Chivas USA's Defensive Evaluation
With Chivas USA on a break, we are evaluating the team's performances five games into the season. Today, we examine the defense, and compare it to the numbers last season.
DER: The Method Behind the Rating
Last week we introduced Defensive Efficiency Rating. In this latest installment in the series, we provide not only the methodology but a chance for you to be involved to make this a better, more reliable statistic.
What we are measuring when we measure 'keepers?
We look at ways to evaluate goalkeeping performances in soccer, and compare and contrast between baseball and hockey.
Introducing the Defensive Efficiency Rating
We introduce Defensive Efficiency Ratings as a means to get a grip on which teams are better at limiting chances and which teams are getting bailed out by Troy Perkins.
Sim City: Simulating the 2013 Chivas USA Season
Chivas USA has a lot of roster turnover this offseason, but we attempt to project a lineup of what remains of the returning players, and project some key offensive stats for the upcoming season.
2013 Preseason: Who will be the Goats' Top Scorer?
Chivas USA is looking for a replacement to lead the team in scoring in 2013. We go over some of the main candidates, and ask our readers for their selections.
MLS Draft: Center Backs and Recent Draft History
Is it a waste of a pick to use a top ten pick on a central defender? We explore the recent history in the MLS SuperDraft.
Flipping the script on 2012
In six games last year Chivas USA lost by four or more goals. In those games, the team attempted 71 shots. That's just two shots fewer than the team's nine draws. With a few tweaks in the teams approach, those results can yield points in 2013.
Maybe Getting Carded Isn't so Bad
Is there a correlation between teams that pile up the yellow cards and wining? In 2012, the three most disciplined clubs all made the playoffs while nearly all of the teams with the fewest set marks for futility.
Was September Chivas USA's best month defensively?
We express some frustration at the lack of availability of many Opta MLS statistics, but we go through what we can find about Chivas USA's 2012 defense.
The Slippery Path of the Castrol Index
The Castrol Index has been used for years by top European leagues but is a relatively new convention stateside. We examine how Chivas USA players were ranked and whether those numbers accurately depict the players contributions.
Wondo Really Did Outperform all of Chivas USA
Chris Wondolowksi became the most prolific scorer since MLS's inaugural season. Meanwhile Chivas USA nearly made history themselves with their impoverished goal count. What can Chivas learn from Wondo's dream season?
How the Goats mustered two late goals against FCD
Chivas USA brought both tricks and treats in their final match this weekend against FC Dallas, where they managed to find two goals in stoppage time to pull off the unlikely equalizer in what may well be coach Robin Fraser's final match.
Which Center Backs Performed Best for Chivas USA?
What's to come from the recent shake up Chivas's central defenders? The statistics indicate that coach Robin Fraser may have messed with a good thing over the course of the season.
Agudelo needs to be played in his natural position
Juan Agudelo was acquired with much fanfare. At the close of the season, he's netted just two goals and Chivas USA has packed one of the most woeful scoring punches in MLS history. It's time to use Agudelo properly to reach his full potential.
Chivas USA are being outplayed. We give examples.
Chivas USA is officially out of the playoffs. Can the team rally to finish like champions or will the team's disintegration put the team in the MLS record book?
Chivas USA's Home Woes Epitomize 2012 Season
Chivas USA have been dreadful at home in 2012, which goes a long way to explaining their difficulties this season.
Playoffs? Are You Kidding Me, the Playoffs?! Believe It!
"Impossible is nothing" --MLS sponsor adidas' 2006 World Cup slogan Despite being last in the league in the most important offensive category (say it with me now: goals!), Chivas USA actually...
Diminishing Returns
The Law of Diminishing Returns is an Economic principle that, stated simply, says there comes a point where you have put too expand one resource, but keep the others constant, your production will...
Can A Goalkeeper Who Allowed Four Goals Be the Man of the Match?
Dan Kennedy allowed four goals against the LA Galaxy--the third time all year he has been in the posts with that scoreline. Yet, his performance (he made 8 spectacular saves) deserves mention despite Donovan's career-best 4 assists.
Meh-Coach
In 2013 every MLS playe will be tracked by the adidas MiCoach Elite System. However the system when unveiled at this year's All-Star didn't really provide the useful information adidas has promised with it being the advent of "smart soccer."
Ryan Smith and the Dribble Drive Offense
When acquiring Ryan Smith, Robin Fraser spoke of a new dimension the Englishman adds to Chivas USA. Indeed Ryan Smith's ability to--to borrow a basketball term--to "dribble, drive and dish" has become a reliable staple of the Goats' offense.
Talking Tactics--the Four Point Edition
We discuss recent tactical observations and trends in Chivas USA's league play. How are they getting results?
Danny's a Dandy for Chivas USA
A month into his tenure with Chivas USA, Danny Califf has sparked a defensive renaissance with the team. An in-depth statistical analysis of what the defender brings to the table.
