As I sat and watched RSL lose yet another “Big Game” I couldn’t help but think “why does this team perform so poorly in big matches?” Since Kreis has taken over, RSL hasn’t been known to be a team that performs well on the big stage. (side note: it is an improvement from the previous teams, though, that didn’t perform well on any stage) It seems to be the Achilles heel of this club since we won MLS Cup 2009. We simply don’t perform well if the spotlight is on us.
These were all feelings, though. I wanted some statistical proof of how much we suck – because I’m messed up like that.
So the first thing in need was a definition of what exactly constitutes a “Big Game”.
- Does it correlate purely to attendance?
– No. Based on that logic, when we played Montreal earlier this year it would be considered a “Big Game”. This is not to discount, attendance, but to just say that it isn’t what should be used as the criteria purely. If people show up, though, it tends to mean either the match is important or there was some sort of promo or even both. - Are there “Big Games” during the regular season?
– Not Regularly. At most, there are 2 or 3 “Big Games” during the regular season. We might get worked up over a game or two, as fans, but realistically there are only a few moments where the “Big Game” label can be rightly justified. A playoff berth on the line, the Supporters Shield on the line, the RMC deciding game, etc would get that label in my book. - Are all playoff and knockout games “Big Games”?
– Yes… sorta. It’s easy to just go with a broad “yes, they all are” but to say the road game at Columbus for Champions League knockout phases was on the same ground as the Monterrey championship games is a bit misleading. This is a very tricky area, but hopefully I can work it out. - Do holidays play into it?
– Yes, in a way. The 4th and 24th of July game is a “Big Game” regardless of the opponent or the table implications. Because you have people there, lots of people, expecting a good show, the game should get the label. Which leads into my next and final point… - Is it expectations?
– Yes, very much. What is expected of the team, while combining it with the above criteria, really dictates the labeling. It doesn’t always have to be positive expectations, either. If the game is billed as a big one, it typically comes with merit. A 1 vs 2 clash in the middle of the season, for example, could very well be a “Big Game”. As could the 4th of July, a Champions League Group game, or even an RMC match. If the feeling coming into the match is heightened by some form of expectation, then it likely will get the “Big Game” label.
While not a solid definition, we do get a better understanding of what constitutes a “Big Game” as opposed to just another league match. So, with that, dating back to 2010 (as all my data does) here are the list of “Big Games” RSL has been in.
*I fully expect there to be disagreement on what games I have and have not chosen to include.*
2010:
- 6/9 vs LA Galaxy – MLS Season
- 7/2 vs New England – Holiday
- 7/24 vs Chivas USA – Holiday
- 8/25 @ Cruz Azul – CCL Group
- 9/28 @ TFC – CCL Group
- 10/19 vs Cruz Azul – CCL Group
- 10/23 @ cRapids – RMC Decider
- 10/30 @ FC Dallas – MLS Playoff
- 11/6 vs FC Dallas – MLS Playoff
2010 Record: 3-2-4 (W-L-T)
Home Record: 3-0-2
Road Record: 0-2-2
2011:
- 3/1 vs Columbus – CCL Quarter
- 3/15 vs Saprissa – CCL Semi
- 4/5 @ Saprissa – CCL Semi
- 4/20 @ Monterrey – CCL Final
- 4/27 vs Monterrey – CCL Final
- 7/4 vs New England – Holiday
- 7/23 vs San Jose – Holiday
- 10/1 @ LA Galaxy – MLS Season
- 10/14 @ cRapids – RMC Decider
- 10/29 vs Seattle – MLS Playoff
- 11/2 @ Seattle – MLS Playoff
- 11/6 @ LA Galaxy – MLS Playoff
2011 Record: 4-5-3 (W-L-T)
Home Record: 4-1-1
Road Record: 0-4-2
2012:
- 4/14 @ Sporting KC – MLS Season
- 6/14 @ San Jose – MLS Season
- 7/4 vs Seattle – Holiday
- 7/21 vs cRapids – RMC Decider/Holiday
- 7/31 @ Herediano – CCL Group
2012 Record: 1-3-1 (W-L-T)
Home Record: 1-0-1
Road Record: 0-3-0
Overall:
Overall Record: 8-10-8 (W-L-T)
Home Record: 8-1-4
Road Record: 0-9-4
Analysis:
- We aren’t awful in “Big Games”, but we sure aren’t great or even good by any means, either.
- Unsurprising is our road vs home record in the whole thing. We’ve never won a “big game” on the road in the 3 years of data I collected. Not a single time.
- Conversely, we’ve only lost one “Big Game” at home in the past 3 years. Sadly, it just so happens to be our BIGGEST “Big Game” of them all (go figure).
- While you can’t expect to win them all, a common theme among these is that the higher in importance they become, the worst our results become.
- Interesting note: Our CCL Knockout Record was 2-2-2
Conclusion:
So, there you have it. We have been rather good at home and awful on the road. Nothing too surprising, but it is hard statistical proof.
FORZA RSL!
Cheers,
15 to 32
One Touch Soccer 