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Goals vs. Passing
By Paul Boyer | May 27, 2008
Earlier this soccer year, I was zealously posting individual goals after each game. I later came to believe that doing so was counter-constructive because it might incentivize individual achievement over team play. Where is the incentive to pass, for example? I can’t keep track of all passes like they do in the MLS. (But believe me if I could, I probably would try. hahaha!) Don’t get me wrong, I love goals. Goals goals goals! But there is also something truly beautiful about a well-timed pass to the open space. Oh my gosh, how lovely they are! But I’m no sports reporter, I’m just a scribe. Rather than meticulously take notes on who passed to whom, I prefer to sit (or stand. or jump.) and watch the game and enjoy it for the beauty of it. And be envious that I’m not out there. Playing. Having fun.
So I stopped reporting individual goals. But you know me. I still kept track. And I kept a spreadsheet. And I know who scored how many goals so far this season with only two games to go. And now you know too, because I’ve posted a table of the results below. But before you look, just remember that in soccer it takes a team to make a goal. Some very gifted players rarely make goals but yet they make a tremendous contribution to the team. Something statistics fail to measure. Something you have to be there to see. I’ve been there most games. I’ve seen it too. This table doesn’t show it.
| Player |
Goals (thru 6/08/08)
|
| Giavonni |
38
|
| Ryan |
28
|
| Tim B |
17
|
| Gabriel |
13
|
| Axell |
10
|
| Christopher |
9
|
| Owen |
6
|
| Nate |
4
|
| Ben |
3
|
| Rudra |
3
|
| Timmy H |
2
|
| Ty |
2
|
Please realize that this table is an approximation to the best of my ability and is not the handwriting of the gods. It is accurate within a rough order of magnitude.
Two games to go. More opportunity for more goals remains. But don’t forget, we’re watching to see those passes too!
Topics: Results |