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We showed after the match the Robbie Keane was head an shoulders above the rest of the team in Offensive Impact, much of that owing to the three points Keane earned on three Galaxy goals. Was he the team's best creator? Even when he's taping in goals inside the goal area, Keane still plays like a no. 10 dropping back to get the ball at the half way line and creating chances for others.
First, let's take a look at who was the most accurate passer in the final third amongst Galaxy players with at least 10 passes in that area during the match on Sunday:
Player | Successful Passes | Unsuccessful Passes | Total | Completion % |
Wilhelmsson | 11 | 0 | 11 | 100 |
Keane | 11 | 1 | 12 | 91 |
Donovan | 8 | 3 | 11 | 72 |
Franklin | 8 | 3 | 11 | 72 |
Magee | 10 | 4 | 14 | 71 |
Beckham | 5 | 11 | 16 | 31 |
The top and bottom of the table might be surprising to some. Keane has a reputation as a playmaker, but Christian Wilhelmsson has been somewhat doubted since coming back from injury. That accuracy rate inside the final third is explained away somewhat by the safety of his passes on the wing, but it still shows he and Keane were the most careful with the ball in attacking situations.
David Beckham being the most inaccurate is also easily explained, as his long crosses and corner kicks are by nature more hopeful than anything. Limiting it to the final third also takes away some of Beckham's more impressive kicks including hitting Landon Donovan on a dead run from across the pitch. Now, how many of these passes led to shot attempts?
Player | Passes |
Keane | 4 |
Wilhelmsson | 3 |
Donovan | 2 |
Beckham | 2 |
Franklin | 2 |