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USL Insights – Flanks Key for FCC, Rowdies

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 04/19/17, 3:06PM EDT

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USL Game of the Week offers big matchup for Bahner, Boden

The USL Game of the Week on Wednesday night between FC Cincinnati and the Tampa Bay Rowdies offers numerous fascinating matchups. There’s FCC’s USL leading scorer Djiby Fall going up against the powerful Rowdies’ center back duo of Neill Collins and Damion Lowe, and Rowdies attacking midfielder Joe Cole going up against FCC’s two-way threat Kenney Walker, among others.

The key to the game, though, might be where the balance of power lies down Cincinnati’s right flank, where FCC right back Matt Bahner and Tampa Bay’s Luke Boden will both be looking to influence the attack in addition to their defensive duties.

A 2014 USL All-League selection, Boden has averaged 51 completed passes so far in his first season with the Rowdies, and has helped drive the team forward in the same manner he did previously for Orlando City SC. To the right we have Boden’s passing chart in the Rowdies’ 1-0 win against Ottawa on April 8, when he attempted 81 passes and helped the Rowdies record the only goal of the game.

By contrast, this past weekend in Tampa Bay’s loss to Louisville – its first of the season – Boden’s completed passes were decidedly down. Boden completed only 65.3 percent of his passes, 54.8 percent in the opposing half and had no crosses or chances created. Compared to his season averages – which can be found below – Boden was held in check by Louisville’s combination of winger Brian Ownby and in particular right back Kyle Smith.

Luke Boden, Tampa Bay Rowdies
Activity vs. Ottawa Fury FC, 4/8/17

Player Successful Passes Passing Accuracy Passing Accuracy Opp. Half Dribbles Chances Created
Luke Boden, TBR 204 79.4 69.8 5 3
Matt Bahner, CIN 137 76.1 67.8 1 2

 

Putting in a similar shift to that of Smith against Boden will be the task for Bahner, who is coming off his most productive outing of the season on Saturday against Saint Louis. A Cincinnati native, Bahner returned to his hometown to sign with FCC this offseason. He’s played every minute of the season so far, and on Saturday night was a serious force down the right side as he completed 39-of-46 passes, notched a shot on goal, and created one chance, the assist on Djiby Fall’s opening goal of the game.

With Tampa Bay having seen 46 percent of its attacks come from down the left side so far this season, and 45 percent of Cincinnati’s coming from the right, the two appear set to be on a collision course at Nippert Stadium.

Matt Bahner, FC Cincinnati
Activity vs. Saint Louis FC, 4/15/17

T2's BIJEV ON RIGHT TRACK


Photo courtesy Sam Ortega / Portland Timbers 2

The Portland Timbers 2 have had a frustrating start to the season, and maybe no more so than for attacking midfielder Villyan Bijev. The 2016 USL Assists Champion has recorded one goal so far as T2 has started the season with five consecutive defeats, and is yet to record an assist so far this season.

Bijev’s numbers would appear to show that he’s on the right track to replicate his success of a season ago, though. In Sunday’s game against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, Bijev was arguably the second-brightest player for T2 alongside MLS loanee Jack Barmby, and the two shared relatively similar numbers.

Player Passes Pass Accuracy Pass Accuracy Opp. Half Shots Shots on Target Chances Create Successful Crosses
Villyan Bijev 47 85.1 67.5 2 1 1 2
Jack Barmby 56 85.7 67.3 4 1 2 0

 

Overall this season, Bijev has created eight chances, completed seven dribbles, and completed 146-of-194 passes. All he needs now is for either his teammates to start finding a little more consistency in front of goal – T2’s seven percent conversion rate is 28th in the USL. A turnaround in form for the team as a whole might not be as far away as it seems.

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