2025 Stats Recap #1: 3/8-4/12

Time for the first stats recap of the season! For those who weren't following me last season, I would do a stats update after each match and highlight who was excelling in each statistical category for the Republic. This year, I'm going to do it a little differently. Instead of doing a stats recap after every match, I'll put these out after every five league matches for the Republic. You can still see the full stats whenever you want using the link below. That being said, this update will not include the recent match against Phoenix as that will be part of the next one.

If you want match recaps for the past five matches:

• 3/8/25: 2-1 vs. New Mexico United
• 3/22/25: 2-2 vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
• 3/28/25: 0-1 at FC Tulsa
• 4/5/25: 1-1 vs. Louisville City FC
• 4/12/25: 1-2 at Orange County SC

This only looks at games from the USL Championship.

Minutes:

1. Danny Vitiello, Freddie Kleeman, Michel Benitez, Luis Felipe, Russell Cicerone - 450 minutes played each
2. Dominik Wanner - 365 minutes played
3. Jack Gurr - 354 minutes played

Through the first five games of the season, the Republic have had five players play every single minute so far. And these five have been instrumental to any success the Republic have had. Danny Vitiello continues to be the leader in net for the Republic. The newcomers, Freddie Kleeman and Michel Benitez, have stepped up to lead the defensive unit and become stalwarts in place of some injured players. Luis Felipe continues to be active and physical in the midfield. And Russell Cicerone is the current leading goalscorer and has been generating chances for the Republic attack.

Goals:

1. Russell Cicerone - 2 goals scored
2. Jack Gurr, Sebastian Herrera, Cristian Parano, Lewis Jamieson - 1 goal scored each

Shots:

1. Luis Felipe (13 shots; 1 on target, 6 off target, 6 blocked)
2. Cristian Parano (11 shots; 3 on target, 5 off target, 3 blocked)
3. Russell Cicerone (10 shots; 5 on target, 2 off target, 3 blocked)

Total xG (Expected Goals):

1. Russell Cicerone - 2.49
2. Lewis Jamieson - 1.82
3. Luis Felipe - 0.85

Assists:

1. Jared Timmer, Sebastian Herrera, Russell Cicerone - 1 assist each

Russell Cicerone's name appears throughout the attacking stats. One new statistic I'm tracking this year is xG (expected goals). Cicerone has been able to find some early success and hopes this run of form will continue through the entire season. Some other names I want to highlight here are Cristian Parano and Luis Felipe. I wouldn't have expected either of these two names to be leading in shots generated, but here we are. One thing I want to point out is that last season, the leading shot takers were Trevor Amann and Russell Cicerone, with 57 shots each over the 2024 campaign. We are almost a quarter of a way to that mark after five matches this season. Hopefully, this is a sign that Neill Collins has found a way for the attack to generate more shooting opportunities.

Touches:

1. Michel Benitez - 327 touches
2. Freddie Kleeman - 272 touches
3. Jack Gurr - 234 touches

Passes Completed:

1. Freddie Kleeman - 192 passes completed; 148 short passes, 44 long passes
2. Michel Benitez - 179 passes completed; 146 short passes, 33 long passes
3. Luis Felipe - 161 passes completed; 143 short passes, 18 long passes

Average Passing Accuracy (minimum 50 passes):

1. Cristian Parano - 83.1% average passing accuracy on 102 passes completed
2. Jared Timmer - 77.1% average passing accuracy on 64 passes completed
3. Russell Cicerone - 75.9% average passing accuracy on 137 passes completed

The backline has always been a key factor in the Republic's success. And having defenders who are comfortable on the ball allows for the Republic to move the ball where they want. I pointed it out last season with players like Lee Desmond and Jared Timmer leading the passing categories. And here we see it again with Michel Benitez and Freddy Kleeman leading so far in this campaign. Jack Gurr's importance to the Republic's game plan is illustrated by the number of touches he receives. A lot of play goes through him, and he's a focal point when the Republic transitions from defense to offense.

Chances Created:

1. Russell Cicerone - 10 chances created
2. Jack Gurr - 7 chances created
3. Dominik Wanner, Blake Willey - 3 chances created each

To further illustrate how much Jack Gurr means to the current setup of the Republic, he is second in chances created for the Republic. One thing I want to point out here is Russell Cicerone has also been creating chances for the attack. Last year, his mark was at 27 chances created. Granted, he was injured for good portions of the season, but good to see he's almost halfway to that mark here. Also, want to shoutout Dominik Wanner and Blake Willey creating chances from other areas of the field that are away from Jack Gurr.

Tackles:

1. Michel Benitez - 14 tackles
2. Luis Felipe, Blake Willey - 12 tackles each
3. Chibi Ukaegbu, Dominik Wanner - 9 tackles each

Fouls Won:

1. Michel Benitez - 14 fouls won
2. Freddie Kleeman - 8 fouls won
3. Sebastian Herrera, Russell Cicerone - 7 fouls won

Duels Won:

1. Freddie Kleeman - 51 duels won with a 66% win rate
2. Michel Benitez - 45 duels won with a 67% win rate
3. Luis Felipe - 40 duels won with a 54% win rate

When I watched the preseason game against Ventura County, the one player that really stood out to me with Michel Benitez. When the club initially announced his signing in the offseason, I had him as a left back. So, I was surprised to see him line up as a centerback. And he's been totally excelling in that position. Despite his height, Benitez has been taking it to strikers that are taller and faster than him. And he has been successful. Apart, from the penalty tackle against Colorado Springs, I've been wholly impressed by the newcomer. Also, shoutout to Freddie Kleeman for leading the team in duels won and just holding down the defensive unit.

Yellow Cards:

1. Jack Gurr - 2 yellow cards
2. Lee Desmond, Chibi Ukaegbu, Freddie Kleeman, Dominik Wanner, Michel Benitez, Nick Ross, Luis Felipe, Blake Willey - 1 yellow card each

The yellow cards are not worth mentioning at this point in the season. The thresholds for fines and suspensions are the same this season. The first threshold is 5 yellow cards, which results in a fine. The first suspension comes at eight yellow cards. But this season, the wrinkle is that it's easier for the good behavior bonus to be applied, as the number of consecutive appearances required to take a card off your tally was lowered from 5 to 3.

What do you think of these stats? Who performed to you expectations? Who exceeded them? Let me know in the comments below!

Check out the full spreadsheet here!

(Photo Credit to Orange County SC)