With the aide of OPTA analytics, MLSsoccer.com has been featuring various points of analysis at the beginning of each week. In the
second installment of the OPTA Spotlight
, you can take a closer look at the 14-goal haul of Red Bulls striking duo Thierry Henry and Kenny Cooper.
The success up front for New York is largely attributed to tidy finishing inside the 18-yard box. The Red Bulls have a 48.4% shooting efficiency—scoring 14 goals from just 30 shots. The next team in line, last Saturday's opponent San Jose Earthquakes, have a 24.3% shooting efficiency. Simply put, no one has come close to New York's accuracy in front of goal.
A high shooting efficiency can also be translated to 'minimum wasted chances'. Cooper currently leads the league in efficiency inside the box. He's scored six goals in eight attempts; the goal appears a lot larger in his eyes once he gets in the 18.
Since the start of the 2011 season, the report put out by MLS shows the Red Bulls lead the league in goals to shots ratio inside the box (24.9%)—2.5% over LA. With the team's shooting accuracy at these rates, it's no surprise when Red Bull Arena rises when Henry or Cooper receives the ball inside the box. The next time you're talking soccer with your friends, make sure you whip out a few of these eyebrow-raising statistics. Surely they'll be impressed.
