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MLS Focus: A Galaxy Without Landon Donovan And Edson Buddle
Jul 7, 2010 3:16:00 AM
By Jonathan Vera
How the Galaxy fared without the two internationals, viewed in mathematical terms using averages, means, medians, and other jargon learned in college statistics
On May 15th of this year, the Los Angeles faithful gathered at The Home Depot Center to bid farewell to two of their shining stars: Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle. Every Angeleno present was proud that two of their squad would be representing the United States in the FIFA World Cup, But in the midst of all the pride and celebration came the worrisome feeling about the Galaxy's fate.
Donovan and Buddle had played a total of nine league games with the Galaxy before their departure. The following statistics do not reflect goals against or any other defensive number, but rather focus on the offense side of the equation and here are the numbers of their labor:
Shots (on goal): 90 (36) with a 40% accuracy of on target shots. The average of shots per game were 10 (4).
With the two internationals on the pitch Los Angeles scored 14 goals, with an average of 1.6 goals per game.
The Galaxy squad earned a total of 23 points with an average of 2.6 points per game.
LA had lost the MLS goal leader in Buddle, and the top wingman, Donovan, standing tall on the charts in assists. How were the Galaxy going to respond and fill the void of the two internationals?
"In the next week or two we're going to return a number of players and there's going to be a number of options to fill those spots," said manger Bruce Arena right after the send off game.
From the get-go veterans and rookies alike stepped up to the plate and made their presence felt on the pitch. Greenhorns Tristan Bowen and Michael Stephens started racking in points with goals and assists while veteran Jovan Kirvoski showed he still had it and knocked in a few.
"Landon and Edson are gone," explained Kirovski on June 5th after demolishing an empty-tanked Houston Dynamo. "We’ve had guys come in and step up, and we’ve done well. We have a deep squad. Look at our bench; we had Eddie Lewis, Chris Klein, guys that have played in international games and in Europe. We have good quality players.”
Things were peachy-keen for the White Shirts going up to the World Cup break. But on June 9, LA suffered their first defeat of the season against the defending champs Real Salt Lake. The defeat was quoted to be "sickening" amongst those at the club, but with the WC break ahead of them, some much needed R&R was just what the doctor ordered.
However, the heartbreak of the loss combined with WC break negated LA's momentum as they appeared unable to find their groove against Toronto FC on June 26th in a hard-to-watch match that ended in a sans-goal stalemate. But there appeared to be hope in the horizon.
The early elimination of the United States in the World Cup meant the "dynamic duo" would return to their club team and give them a much needed boost.
The following numbers reflecs how the Galaxy fared for five games offensively without Donovan or Buddle in the roster (does not include the friendly against Boca Juniors).
Shots (on goal): 25 (20) with a 80% accuracy of on target shots. The average of shots per game were 5 (4).
Without the pair on the fray, LA score seven goals, with an average of 1.4 goals per game.
As a result the Galaxy tallied a total of 10 points averaging two points per match.
What does this tell us?
It tells us the Galaxy NEED Donovan and Buddle. Yes, the accuracy of shots on goal doubled (which was a surprising discovery) without the pair on the green, but the total average of shots, shots on goal, goals, and overall points suffered without the two superstars. Not to mention LA experienced defeat for the first time this season without them.
Donovan and Buddle bring so much to the offensive table and such presence that other teams feel the pressure.
"Landon and Edson brought a ton of energy and seeing them, they were just combining and it raised our team to another level... And I think it put them on their heels a little bit more," said defender Todd Dunivant on fourth of July match against the Seattle Sounders.
This game marked the homecoming for the two men; and they did not disappoint. Buddle notched another goal, while Donovan added another assist to his belt. What resulted were eight shots (four), two goals, and the three points at the end.
As for the future, Donovan wrote on his Facebook, "Time for some much-needed rest, I'll be back in a week or so." Which means he'll miss the match against the Revolution at New England. Buddle, who played less in the World Cup, will focus on getting game-ready.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
On May 15th of this year, the Los Angeles faithful gathered at The Home Depot Center to bid farewell to two of their shining stars: Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle. Every Angeleno present was proud that two of their squad would be representing the United States in the FIFA World Cup, But in the midst of all the pride and celebration came the worrisome feeling about the Galaxy's fate.
Donovan and Buddle had played a total of nine league games with the Galaxy before their departure. The following statistics do not reflect goals against or any other defensive number, but rather focus on the offense side of the equation and here are the numbers of their labor:
Shots (on goal): 90 (36) with a 40% accuracy of on target shots. The average of shots per game were 10 (4).
With the two internationals on the pitch Los Angeles scored 14 goals, with an average of 1.6 goals per game.
The Galaxy squad earned a total of 23 points with an average of 2.6 points per game.
LA had lost the MLS goal leader in Buddle, and the top wingman, Donovan, standing tall on the charts in assists. How were the Galaxy going to respond and fill the void of the two internationals?
"In the next week or two we're going to return a number of players and there's going to be a number of options to fill those spots," said manger Bruce Arena right after the send off game.
From the get-go veterans and rookies alike stepped up to the plate and made their presence felt on the pitch. Greenhorns Tristan Bowen and Michael Stephens started racking in points with goals and assists while veteran Jovan Kirvoski showed he still had it and knocked in a few.
"Landon and Edson are gone," explained Kirovski on June 5th after demolishing an empty-tanked Houston Dynamo. "We’ve had guys come in and step up, and we’ve done well. We have a deep squad. Look at our bench; we had Eddie Lewis, Chris Klein, guys that have played in international games and in Europe. We have good quality players.”
Things were peachy-keen for the White Shirts going up to the World Cup break. But on June 9, LA suffered their first defeat of the season against the defending champs Real Salt Lake. The defeat was quoted to be "sickening" amongst those at the club, but with the WC break ahead of them, some much needed R&R was just what the doctor ordered.
However, the heartbreak of the loss combined with WC break negated LA's momentum as they appeared unable to find their groove against Toronto FC on June 26th in a hard-to-watch match that ended in a sans-goal stalemate. But there appeared to be hope in the horizon.
The early elimination of the United States in the World Cup meant the "dynamic duo" would return to their club team and give them a much needed boost.
The following numbers reflecs how the Galaxy fared for five games offensively without Donovan or Buddle in the roster (does not include the friendly against Boca Juniors).
Shots (on goal): 25 (20) with a 80% accuracy of on target shots. The average of shots per game were 5 (4).
Without the pair on the fray, LA score seven goals, with an average of 1.4 goals per game.
As a result the Galaxy tallied a total of 10 points averaging two points per match.
What does this tell us?
It tells us the Galaxy NEED Donovan and Buddle. Yes, the accuracy of shots on goal doubled (which was a surprising discovery) without the pair on the green, but the total average of shots, shots on goal, goals, and overall points suffered without the two superstars. Not to mention LA experienced defeat for the first time this season without them.
Donovan and Buddle bring so much to the offensive table and such presence that other teams feel the pressure.
"Landon and Edson brought a ton of energy and seeing them, they were just combining and it raised our team to another level... And I think it put them on their heels a little bit more," said defender Todd Dunivant on fourth of July match against the Seattle Sounders.
This game marked the homecoming for the two men; and they did not disappoint. Buddle notched another goal, while Donovan added another assist to his belt. What resulted were eight shots (four), two goals, and the three points at the end.
As for the future, Donovan wrote on his Facebook, "Time for some much-needed rest, I'll be back in a week or so." Which means he'll miss the match against the Revolution at New England. Buddle, who played less in the World Cup, will focus on getting game-ready.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
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