The Seattle Sounders acquired 28-year-old Spanish midfielder Victor Rodriguez on Aug. 2, and his initial impressions in Rave Green have been highly promising. In this edition of Quest Diagnostics Advanced Stats, we look at Rodriguez’s first two appearances with the club.
In just 119 minutes — a full 90 against the Vancouver Whitecaps in his debut on Aug. 23 before a 29-minute substitute appearance against the Portland Timbers on Aug. 27 — Rodriguez has been an attacking menace. He drew a penalty kick on Nicolas Lodeiro’s goal against the Whitecaps and has set up teammates for dangerous opportunities on multiple occasions. A “key pass,” according to Opta, is “the final pass leading to the recipient of the ball having an attempt at goal without scoring” and/or is “instrumental in creating a goal-scoring opportunity.”
Rodriguez is clean on the ball and gives the Sounders even more attacking impetus down the flanks, allowing more space in the middle for Clint Dempsey and Lodeiro to operate. He will look for his first points when the Sounders host the LA Galaxy on Sept. 10 (6 p.m. PT; FS1, 107.7 The End, El Rey 1360AM | TICKETS).
