2025 Stats Recap #2: 4/19-6/7

We are now 10 matches into the regular season, or a third of the way through it. And that means it's time for another stats recap. This article aims to highlight which players are excelling in each of the various statistical categories. Below are some recommended readings to help provide context. I don't have match recaps for a couple of matches since I was out on vacation. Enjoy! Please let me know if you'd like to see anything in these posts.

If you want match recaps for the past five matches:

• 4/19/25: 2-2 at Phoenix Rising FC
• 5/18/25: 5-0 vs. Las Vegas Lights FC
• 6/7/25: 0-1 vs. FC Tulsa

Previous stats recap:

• Stats Recap #1: 3/8/25-4/12/25

This analysis only considers games from the USL Championship. The most recent match against San Antonio is not part of this update. These stats reflect the season in its entirety. Therefore, the statistics below are not exclusive to the second set of matches but rather represent a running total for the season up to this point.

Minutes:

1. Danny Vitiello, Michel Benitez - 900 minutes played each
2. Freddy Kleeman - 863 minutes played
3. Jack Gurr - 749 minutes played

We are down to two players left who have played every minute so far in the regular season. Danny Vitiello makes sense as he's the starting keeper, and it would be unlikely to see him subbed off midgame. That being said, Coach Collins can bring in Jared Mazzola to get a couple of matches in the league to keep his momentum going. Now, I wouldn't have guessed it would be Michel Benitez to be the last outfield player yet to have missed a minute. As you'll see when you read through the rest of this article, Benitez has proven himself to be a player who is dependable no matter where you put him. He has played in a variety of positions, including center back, wing back, and central midfield. Benitez has excelled wherever he is in the Republic's formation.

Goals:

1. Sebastian Herrera, Russell Cicerone - 3 goals each
2. Jack Gurr, Trevor Amann, Lewis Jamieson - 2 goals each
3. Dominik Wanner, Nick Ross, Cristian Parano - 1 goal each

Shots:

1. Cristian Parano - 19 shots taken (5 on target, 9 off target, 5 blocked)
2. Luis Felipe - 15 shots taken (1 on target, 8 off target, 6 blocked)
3. Sebastian Herrera, Russell Cicerone, Lewis Jamieson - 12 shots taken each

Total xG (Expected Goals):

1. Russell Cicerone - 3.39
2. Lewis Jamieson - 2.05
3. Sebastian Herrera - 1.55

Assists:

1. Jared Timmer, Sebastian Herrera, Russell Cicerone - 2 assists each
2. Jack Gurr, Michel Benitez, Rodrigo Lopez - 1 assist each

The attack so far this season seems to be scoring by committee. None of the forwards have broken away from the pack and cemented themselves to be a prolific goalscorer this season. But perhaps that might be a good thing. Instead of focusing on one player, opponents have to worry about a variety of threats. We saw this in the back-to-back series with Las Vegas, where nine different players found their names on the scoresheet. That being said, I would like to see one of our players prove to be a dependable person who can find the back of the net. Cristian Parano and Luis Felipe still lead the team in shots taken, but they haven't been able to convert their opportunities as much. 

Touches:

1. Michel Benitez - 629 touches
2. Freddy Kleeman - 528 touches
3. Jared Timmer - 488 touches

Passes Completed:

1. Freddy Kleeman - 399 passes completed (334 shots passes, 65 long passes)
2. Michel Benitez - 386 passes completed (342 short passes, 44 long passes)
3. Jared Timmer - 385 passes completed (320 short passes, 65 long passes)

Average Passing Accuracy (minimum 50 passes):

1. Cristian Parano - 88.1% average passing accuracy on 261 passes completed
2. Jared Timmer - 81.7% passing accuracy on 385 passes completed
3. Dominik Wanner - 80.% passing accuracy on 155 passes completed

Here, we are starting to see the importance of Michel Benitez. Some of this might be because he has played more minutes compared to the rest of the team. But, despite his positioning, he is still able to execute what is needed from him on any given night. Freddy Kleeman maintains his consistency when on the ball, as he continues to lead the team in total passes completed. And Cristian Parano and Jared Timmer maintained their sharpness on the ball as they held their position in average passing accuracy.

Chances Created:

1. Jack Gurr, Russell Cicerone - 15 chances created each
2. Rodrigo Lopez - 11 chances created
3. Dominik Wanner - 9 chances created

Out of the players highlighted in the last stats update, Jack Gurr and Dominik Wanner. Jack Gurr was sitting on 7 chances created in the first update. And Dominik Wanner only had 3 chances created. The wingbacks continue to play a crucial role in trying to find attacking opportunities. One player I would like to highlight here is Rodrigo Lopez. At the first update, he only had 1 chance created. And ever since he returned from his injury and had been getting more minutes, he got back to work in this category. 10 scoring chances were made by the midfielder. 

Tackles:

1. Michel Benitez - 24 tackles committed
2. Luis Felipe - 20 tackles committed
3. Jack Gurr - 15 tackles committed

Fouls Won:

1. Michel Benitez - 25 fouls won
2. Sebastian Herrera - 24 fouls won
3. Jack Gurr - 21 fouls won

Duels Won:

1. Freddy Kleeman - 77 duels won with a 66% win rate
2. Michel Benitez - 72 duels won with a 62% win rate
3. Luis Felipe - 55 duels won with a 57% win rate

Again, this just shows how important Benitez is. He is just bringing the fight to the opponents, and this will be the trend as this season continues. I continue to be impressed by him, and he's one of my favorite players to watch. Freddy Kleeman continues to lead the team in duels won and has been using his height to gain an advantage. But the defender is not afraid to put in a tackle and come away with the ball if needed.

Yellow Cards:

1. Michel Benitez, Nick Ross - 3 yellow cards each
2. Jack Gurr, Lee Desmond, Jared Timmer, Freddy Kleeman Dominik Wanner, Luis Felipe, Blake Willey, Sebastian Herrera - 2 yellow cards each
3. Chibi Ukaegbu, Rayan Djedje, Rodrigo Lopez, Cristian Parano - 1 yellow card each

These are the true yellow card totals, as these don't account for any good behavior bonuses that have been applied. There aren't any players that are close to the threshold of a one game suspension, at eight yellow cards.

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

Check out the full spreadsheet here!

(Photo Credit to Sacramento Republic FC)