Three key MLS stats: Charlotte FC's defending, how the Columbus Crew dismantled LAFC & more

Former FC Dallas data analyst Arman Kafai breaks down a set of insightful stats from around MLS.

Stats courtesy of FBref, Opta, and American Soccer Analysis.

Columbus 5-1 LAFC, 27.5%

On Saturday, the Columbus Crew and LAFC played in a 2023 MLS Cup rematch that had all the makings of a balanced thriller – LAFC’s stellar home performances, Columbus’ dominant style of play, Denis Bouanga, Cucho Heranandez, you get the idea. Instead of a two-sided affair, we saw one of the most dominant road performances in MLS history with the Crew’s 5-1 victory at BMO Stadium. 

I mean, the Crew did things to LAFC that nobody does to LAFC.

• Denis Bouanga had his fewest touches in a single game this year with just 22. In fact, it was his lowest touch count in any start of his LAFC career.
• Only 27.5% of LAFC’s passes were between five and 15 yards, which was way down from their previous low this year (30.6% in their 2-2 away draw against Portland in April). 
• LAFC had just five carries into the final third, which was their lowest total of the year.

Even looking at the expected goals battle doesn’t do Columbus’ performance justice. Wilfried Nancy’s team generated 2.1 xG compared to LAFC’s 1.3, but 0.5 of that 1.3 for the hosts came after the 85th minute when the game was already over. 

As shown by the low percentage of shorter passes attempted by Steve Cherundolo’s team, the Crew’s press made life difficult for LAFC in buildup. They couldn’t string together those shorter passes needed to both establish possession in key areas and limit their opponent’s time on the ball. If you look at the average vertical distances of completed passes for LAFC’s starters along the backline, three of them were far lower than their season averages. 

Center back Maxime Chanot, whose completed passes averaged over six yards of vertical gain towards the mouth of the opposing goal had those same passes go 1.2 yards forward against the Crew. Jesus Murillo’s vertical distance dropped from over eight to 4.4, while Ryan Hollingshead’s dropped from over four to 0.9.

Put simply, LAFC could not progress the ball as they normally do against Columbus’ aggressive defensive pressure and all-encompassing possession approach.

And that was evident during the match, especially on the third goal where LAFC lost the ball deep into their own half and were swiftly punished by the Crew: