2025 Stats Recap FINALE

Ok, it is a bit delayed, but after the holidays, I finally got around to finishing this monster. Before we move into 2026, let's take stock of what happened in 2025 by looking at the numbers and what areas the Republic can improve upon. This is the final stats update for 2025! 

If you want match recaps for the past five matches:

• 10/1/25: 2-1 vs Orange County
• 10/11/25: 2-3 at Hartford Athletic
• 10/17/25: 2-2 at Lexington
• 10/22/25: 1-0 vs Charleston Battery
• 10/25/25: 0-1 vs Miami
• 11/2/25: 0(4)-0(5) vs Orange County

Previous Stats Recaps:

• Stats Recap #1: 3/8/25-4/12/25
• Stats Recap #2: 4/19/25-6/7/25
• Stats Recap #3: 6/14/25-7/12/25
• Stats Recap #4: 7/19/25-8/23/25
• Stats Recap #5: 8/30/25-9/27/25

This analysis only considers games from the USL Championship. These stats reflect the season in its entirety. Therefore, the statistics below are not exclusive to the sixth set of matches but rather represent a running total for the season to date.

Goals:

1. Russell Cicerone - 8 goals scored
2. Cristian Parano - 6 goals scored
3. Sebastian Herrera and Khori Bennett - 5 goals scored each

Shots:

1. Russell Cicerone and Cristian Parano - 41 shots taken. Cicerone (18 on target, 11 off target, 12 blocked). Parano (15 on target, 16 off target, 10 blocked)
2. Sebastian Herrera - 32 shots taken (9 on target, 19 off target, 4 blocked)
3. Jack Gurr - 29 shots taken (9 on target, 14 off target, 6 blocked)

Total xG (Expected Goals):

1. Russell Cicerone - 7.10
2. Sebastian Herrera - 4.09
3. Cristian Parano - 3.85

Assists:

1. Rodrigo Lopez - 6 assists
2. Jack Gurr - 5 assists
3. Sebastian Herrera and Russell Cicerone - 4 assists each

The attack will continue to be the main question mark surrounding the Republic heading into the 2026 season. Taking a look at the past 8 playoff champions, only two of them fell outside of the top 10 in goals scored: the 2021 champions, Orange County, and the newly crowned Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Over that same time span, the Republic made the top 10 only twice: in 2023, when they finished 7th, and this previous season, when they finished tied for 10th. The Republic has been middle of the pack in terms of goals for most of its existence. In order to truly compete for a league title, a near-elite attack is needed. Yes, a defense to lean on to grind out a result is vital, but you need to have an attack that can make a mark on the scoreboard. And Neill Collins will have a near-clean slate to try to address these issues. Almost every name mentioned above has either retired or left the club, with the exceptions of Jack Gurr and possibly Khori Bennett. Russell Cicerone was the Republic's consistent goalscoring threat last season. And then Cristian Parano and Sebastian Herrera were always players the opponents needed to keep an eye on. The Republic has also lost its talismanic playmaker, Rodrigo Lopez, who retired at the end of the 2025 season. Even at his age, he led the Republic with assists this past season. The Republic will hope that signings like Forster Ajago and Arturo Rodriguez can provide some goals. But I think the Republic roster is still at a deficit compared to last year's attack, which was, at best, okay. Sure, there were moments where they went on a scoring frenzy, see the back-to-back Las Vegas matches. But that was immediately followed by June, when they scored only two goals in five matches. One more comparison. The Republic were held scoreless in 13 of their 40 competitive matches last season, or 32.5%. Last year's Players' Shield winner, Louisville City, was held scoreless in only 5 of their 37 competitive matches, or 13.5%. There needs to be more lethal frontline additions in the upcoming year for the Republic to challenge some of the best attacks in the league and become a threat to the championship. Because we know the defense is at the top of the league, now it comes down to whether the attack matches that.

Touches on the Ball:

1. Michel Benitez - 1,585 touches
2. Lee Desmond - 1,512 touches
3. Freddy Kleeman - 1,488 touches

Passes Completed:

1. Freddy Kleeman - 1,163 passes completed (1,004 short passes, 159 long passes)
2. Lee Desmond - 1,145 passes completed (989 short passes, 156 long passes)
3. Michel Benitez - 1,008 passes completed (909 short passes, 99 long passes)

Average Passing Accuracy (minimum 200 passes):

1. Jared Timmer - 89.5% passing accuracy on 948 passes completed
2. Cristian Parano - 84.8% passing accuracy on 601 passes completed
3. Lee Desmond - 84.4% passing accuracy on 1,145 passes completed

Some unsung heroes who I thought didn't get enough praise over the past season were two newcomers, Michel Benitez and Freddy Kleeman. Just two solid and consistent players that the Republic could depend on in the backline. I mean, we had Benitez playing in a variety of positions. And Freddy Kleeman was playing in the center of the backline. Both of them deserve their flowers. The Republic defenders were consistent on the ball and distributing their passes, and I'd imagine we will see the same in 2026. A stout defense has been a hallmark of the Republic for several seasons now. Academy players Luke Strassburg and Rohan Chivukula will have some great mentors in the backline on how to be a solid defender who can still move and distribute the ball forward. But that said, I'd also like the Republic to sign one more experienced defender to the roster to add depth.

Chances Created:

1. Jack Gurr - 44 chances created
2. Rodrigo Lopez - 36 chances created
3. Russell Cicerone - 33 chances created

Again, the attack will need to be straightened out. It has been a problem that no one on the left side of the formation can match Jack Gurr's productivity. And now, with two of the three chance creators leaving the club, who will be brought in or step up to fill that need? Arturo Rodriguez and Pierre Reedy are names that will be called upon. I expect Blake Willey to also take a step up and be a creator in the midfield. But the Republic will need more looks from a variety of angles, rather than being one-dimensional and playing solely through Jack Gurr. I want to point out that beyond these three names, there is a significant gulf to the next player. Michel Benitez was the next player after these three, with 17 chances created. There is a pretty clear need for creative players for the Republic who can not only generate their own shot, but also create for their teammates. If someone can't step in to be a creator alongside Jack Gurr, then this upcoming season is going to be painful.

Tackles:

1. Luis Felipe - 46 tackles committed
2. Jack Gurr - 44 tackles committed
3. Michel Benitez - 42 tackles committed

Fouls Won:

1. Sebastian Herrera - 49 fouls won
2. Jack Gurr and Cristian Parano - 45 fouls won
3. Michel Benitez - 35 fouls won

Duels Won:

1. Freddy Kleeman - 155 duels won on a 63% duel win rate
2. Lee Desmond - 128 duels won on a 68% duel win rate
3. Michel Benitez - 127 duels won on a 53% duel win rate

This is perhaps another area that the Republic will need to look into. Having that physical, dominating presence in the midfield that can halt the opposition and act as a cover to the defense. Luis Felipe played that role well in limited minutes last season. But now the Republic will be without his services this upcoming season. And players like Sebastian Herrera brought that dueling mentality to the front line. I expect to see Forster Ajago to make his name known in this section. But one player I'm tracking to make some appearances here is Danny Crisostomo. I expect him to be deployed in the middle of the park and be the sweeper in front of the backline.

Yellow Cards:

1. Michel Benitez - 9 yellow cards
2. Jack Gurr, Nick Ross, Rodrigo Lopez, Sebastian Herrera - 6 yellow cards each
3. Freddy Kleeman and Cristian Parano - 5 yellow cards each

I didn't have Benitez as the yellow card leader come the end of the season. I attribute some of that to getting accustomed to the new league, but mainly to the mentality he brings to the field. I saw back in preseason that he wasn't willing to back down to anybody. He was able to earn enough good behavior bonuses to avoid a suspension. But I do think he'll become more accustomed to the league and the team so that we won't see his name as much this upcoming season.

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)