ryan krasnoo
It's the talking point after every trade in any sport: Who got the better deal?
Numbers don't lie, and although they are certainly not exempt from an open interpretation, the data speak for themselves. And regarding the goalkeeper swap of Donovan Ricketts and Troy Perkins between Montreal and Portland, the results are fairly persuasive.
Montreal found a winner in Perkins.
Ahead in almost every category, the newly acquired Impact netminder has a higher catch success rate, fewer drops and more saves parried away to safety to name a few.
Yes, there are certainly some intangibles that are overlooked (e.g. Ricketts 90-plus international caps), but Montreal clearly appear to have gotten an upgrade. Timbers GM and interim head coach Gavin WIlkinson believes that the Timbers received an upgrade as well.
What do you think? Who got the better deal: Montreal or Portland? Let us know in the comment section below.
|
Perkins |
Player Surname |
Ricketts |
|
35 |
Goals Conceded |
39 |
|
27 |
Goals Conceded Inside Box |
33 |
|
8 |
Goals Conceded Outside Box |
6 |
|
66 |
Saves Made |
61 |
|
31 |
Saves Made from Inside Box |
32 |
|
35 |
Saves Made from Outside Box |
29 |
|
65.35% |
Saves to Shots Ratio |
61.00% |
|
53.45% |
Saves to Shots ratio Inside Box |
49.23% |
|
81.40% |
Saves to Shots ratio Outside Box |
82.86% |
|
3 |
Goalkeeper Smother |
1 |
|
31 |
Catches |
18 |
|
15 |
Punches |
9 |
|
3 |
Drops |
7 |
|
2 |
Crosses not Claimed |
4 |
|
93.88% |
Catch Success Rate |
79.41% |
|
3 |
Clean Sheets |
3 |
|
214 |
GK - Pick up |
165 |
|
0 |
Error leading to Goal |
3 |
|
0 |
Error leading to Attempt |
2 |
|
105 |
Shots On Conceded |
104 |
|
62 |
Shots On Conceded Inside Box |
69 |
|
43 |
Shots On Conceded Outside Box |
35 |
|
59.05% |
% Shots On Conceded Inside Box |
66.35% |
|
40.95% |
% Shots On Conceded Outside Box |
33.65% |
|
24 |
Saves Parried Safe |
20 |
|
7 |
Saves Parried Danger |
15 |
|
22 |
Saves Caught |
8 |
|
13 |
Saves Collected |
15 |
|
26 |
Keeper Sweeper Successful |
32 |
|
5 |
Keeper Sweeper Unsuccessful |
6 |
|
0 |
Recoveries in Opp Half |
0 |
|
0 |
Goals Conceded from Fast Break |
0 |
|
4 |
Attempts Conceded from Fast Break |
6 |
|
29 |
Big Chance Faced |
35 |
|
15 |
Big Chance Goals Conceded |
22 |
|
2 |
Big Chance Saved |
5 |
|
12 |
Big Chance Missed |
8 |
|
11.76% |
Big Chance Prevention % |
18.52% |
Ever wonder what the days are like in the life of MLSers leading up to matches?
Well, now you can find out. Major League Soccer and NBC have announced a new, day-in-the-life series, MLS 36. The program – which follows in the footsteps of fellow NBC Sports Network series Fight Night 36, IndyCar 36 and NHL 36 – takes viewers behind the scenes for a player's 36 hours prior to kickoff.
San Jose Earthquakes star and golden-boot leading Chris Wondolowski wil be the first league player highlighted, when his preparation for the 2012 MLS All-Star Game will air on Sunday, August 5 at 9:30 pm ET on the NBC Sports Network. The second installment is set to air the following Friday, August 10 when Seattle's Fredy Montero's preparations are recorded ahead of the Sounders' World Football Challenge match vs. Chelsea on July 18.
Additional episodes and players of MLS 36 will be announced at a later date. Which player to the right would you want to see featured? Or, let us know who else you would want in the comments below.
A lot went into Tim Cahill's move to New York. And now that the former Everton midfielder is stateside, the journey is only just beginning.
In exclusive one-on-one interviews with NewYorkRedBulls.com, Cahill discusses his motives for joining Major League Soccer, how US internationals and Everton teammates Tim Howard and Landon Donovan influenced his decision, and what he's looking forward to the most in New York.
Check out each piece below. Does signing Cahill make the Red Bulls MLS Cup favorites?
Part I: Cahill's decision
Part II: Cahill's teammates
Part III: Cahill's drive
Part IV: Cahill's introduction
The New York DP carousel continues to turn. According to a new report from Brian Lewis at the New York Post, the long rumors linking former FIFA World Player of the Year Kaká to the Red Bulls are still very much a reality.
"He wants to play in Red Bull New York," his agent is quoted as saying. "But in the future. Not now."
The price tag would be a steep one – initial estimates top off around $10 million – but his entrance into the league would immediately make him one of the most high-profile players ever to wear an MLS jersey.
It seems that Everton's Tim Cahill is on his way to New York.
Things may have just gotten a whole lot bleaker for the rest of the Eastern Conference in their quest to chase down the Red Bulls, as it appears that the Australian international is on a verge of a transfer to the Big Apple club.
According to a report from Everton's offical website, the 32-year-old will be heading to the United States to join RBNY within the next couple of days. The Red Bulls declined to comment at this time, and would not confirm the report.
Cahill found the back of the net 68 times in his 278 appearances on Merseyside, and 24 times in his 55 caps with the Australian national team.
Everton have reached agreement with the MLS for Tim Cahill's transfer to New York Red Bulls: http://t.co/TmQanB6r
— Official Everton (@Everton) July 23, 2012
UPDATE: The Red Bulls have put out a statement regarding the move:
HARRISON, NJ (July 23, 2012) – The New York Red Bulls released the following statement today regarding midfielder Tim Cahill:
"We are aware of Everton’s statement regarding midfielder Tim Cahill and our club. However, we have no comment at this time regarding him or any other non-New York player."
Courtesy of NBA.com
Steve Nash has all the skills needed to succeed at the professional level of his sport: vision, agility, an incredible feel for the game.
And oh yeah, he's pretty good at basketball, too.
In an interview with Lakers.com's Mike Trudell, the recetly-acquired point guard was quick to admit that the Beautiful Game has been vital to his basketball career.
"I didn't play basketball until I was 13," Nash said. "I wouldn't have been an NBA player if I didn't play soccer."
Nash joins an already soccer-crazed Laker squad that includes perennial All-Star and proud Barcelona fan Kobe Bryant, and actual Barcelona Basquet product Pau Gasol, who was in attendance to watch Spain win the Euros in Kiev on July 1.
Playing alongside offensive threats Bryant and Gasol, the NBA's fifth all-time assist leader will be poised to add to that total significantly. It's no coincidence that Nash is one of the best passers to ever play the game, and he credits his vision in large part to his soccer background.
"The ideas, the ability to see and anticipate, all of that is a part of my basketball game," Nash added. "It really was developed in soccer. It's been good to me in many ways."
Remember that age-old mantra reminding you to be comfortable in your own skin? Well, a couple of US national teamers went a step further.
Men's captain Carlos Bocanegra and women's superstar Abby Wambach were not camera-shy when ESPN The Magazine's Body Issue came calling. Both Bocanegra and Wambach shed some skin – and some visual insight – into what the soccer bodies look like from two of America's best.
The body of a soccer player, like any athlete, is defined as much by its impressive and imposing physicality as it is its ability to withstand the daily beating it takes.
"When you play soccer, you are going to get cut, you are going to get bruised," explains Wambach. "If sitiches have to happen, if staples have to come, that's just part of the game – just take it."
Also included in the fourth annual publication are the NFL's Rob Gronkowski, the WNBA's Candace Parker and the NBA's Tyson Chandler, among others.
Brendan Rodgers has high hopes for Liverpool – and he's wasting no time trying to reinforce his squad for that pursuit.
The newly appointed manager is eager to make his first signing since taking over the Reds on June 1, and one of his first targets happens to be US international Clint Dempsey.
According to a report by the English newspaper The Mirror, Rodgers and the Liverpool front office are set to bid £7.5 million in an attempt to pry the English Premier League's fourth-leading scorer in 2011-12 away from Fulham's Craven Cottage and north to Anfield.
A deal could be completed as early as Wednesday, if you believe the report, as Liverpool hope to lock up Deuce before their trip to the United States next week.
If the transfer goes down, what do you think of the move?
Poison are scheduled for a July 28 concert at Santa Clara University's Buck Shaw Stadium.
Ok, no, not really. But it is Steven Lenhart Wig Night when the San Jose Earthquakes host the Chicago Fire. Think people could tell the difference?
In honor of one of the most recognizable heads of hair in MLS – and oh yeah, his five goals on the league's best team aren't too shabby either – the Quakes will be giving out 2,500 blond wigs to fans.
Now all they'd need is some background music to complete the experience – that is, if it doesn't already come with the wigs.
The Scottish Premier League's loss just may be Major League Soccer's gain.
After the collapse of storied club Glasgow Rangers, their prized winger Sono Aluko is being linked with a move across the pond to the United States. According to a report from The Scottish Sun, the 23-year-old Nigerian international has declared publicly that he does not want his contract renewed, with the publication contending that the Houston Dynamo are leading the charge for his services.
According to the Sun, the New England Revolution are also in the hunt for the outside midfielder, who scored 12 goals in 21 appearances last season for 'Gers. The English-born Aluko spent three seasons playing for fellow SPL side Aberdeen – where he tallied seven times in 82 appearances – prior to joining Rangers. The report also mentions Championship sides Crystal Palace and Charlton as teams interested in Aluko's services.
If the Scottish Football Association agrees to transfer his registration, he could be set to make an immediate impact for whichever club he signs with.