It took two games for Roy Miller to become a punchline this season, but since his return to the lineup in mid-April, the New York Red Bulls have gone 4-1-0. Here's a chart that should give you some idea as to why:
<strong>Team</strong> |
<strong>Crossing Open Accuracy</strong> |
<strong>Crosses/Corners Accuracy</strong> |
New York Red Bulls |
31.21 |
33.02 |
D.C. United |
27.27 |
30.32 |
Colorado Rapids |
26.67 |
30.9 |
LA Galaxy |
25.56 |
29.26 |
Seattle Sounders FC |
25.22 |
27.85 |
Montreal Impact |
25 |
29.27 |
New England Revolution |
24.32 |
23.58 |
Sporting Kansas City |
22.78 |
30.37 |
Chivas USA |
22.76 |
32.92 |
FC Dallas |
22.48 |
23.16 |
Houston Dynamo |
22.31 |
27.66 |
Chicago Fire |
20.65 |
21.05 |
Vancouver Whitecaps |
19.72 |
22.58 |
Philadelphia Union |
19.23 |
25.13 |
Portland Timbers |
19.08 |
20.19 |
Real Salt Lake |
18.38 |
22.65 |
San Jose Earthquakes |
18.32 |
23.1 |
Columbus Crew |
16.13 |
27.27 |
Toronto FC |
12.71 |
17.47 |
This is not to say that Miller, alone, is the cause for New York's crossing prowess. In fact, he rates significantly lower than Heath Pearce – the "other" left back in Mike Petke's rotation – by Opta's count.
But one of the best aspects of Thierry Henry's game is his ability to drop deep on the left, find space, then curl in a right-footed cross to the penalty spot – usually aiming for the head of Tim Cahill, who still excels at making those delayed runs from central midfield.
The reason Henry has all that space? Because Miller overlaps as relentlessly as any fullback in the league, dragging defenders away from the Frenchman, creating new passing lanes, and just making it harder to defend that side of the field.