Over the last few years, the Phoenix Rising FC goalkeeper has put together some impressive seasons.
Even a season ago, despite the club’s overall difficulties in a down campaign, Ben Lund won the league’s Goal of the Year award while posting 115 saves, a 69.1% save percentage and a goal prevention percentage. It shone until it was nominated for the Keeper Award. The mark for (Conceded – Deducted – Expected Goals Conceded by Target) is -4.4.
With Lundt’s move to Major League Soccer’s St. Louis CITY SC, the club acquired Rocco Rios Novo. Rocco Rios Novo is a young Argentinian with an impressive background and resume.
So far he’s been up to the bill.
Rios Novo has played a key role in Phoenix’s start to the season. His 27 saves (some of which are breathtaking) rank him third in the league. His average goals conceded is 1.43 in his seven games, but the 20-year-old’s impact has been on a similar trajectory to Lund, conceding -1.87 so far. Add his passing accuracy (87.6%) and ability to play a sweeper to head his coach Juangela’s system and you have: According to American Soccer Analysis – One of the league’s elite goalkeepers so far this season.
Rios Novo rose to prominence as the starter for Argentina’s U-17 men’s World Cup team. It may have seemed like a step back numerically at Atlanta United FC last year, but things look to be heading in the right direction again in Phoenix.
Here are others who caught our eye in action last weekend…
– Joshua Winder, Louisville City FC – A solid outing by the young centre-back who led all players with 3 wins out of 11 total duels and 4 tackles against Memphis.
– Colin Smith, Birmingham Legion FC – The FC Dallas loaner appeared at halftime in Legion FC’s come-from-behind win over Harford, making 13 of 15 passes and winning 2 of 2 tackles. rice field.
– Danny Rios, Las Vegas Lights FC – The loan player from Houston Dynamo was present in a game in which Lights FC tied 1-1 in San Antonio, scoring 3 of 3 tackles and 4 of 5 duels in 45 minutes of action. bottom.
– Miles Lyons, El Paso Locomotive FC – After an early injury to Mark Navarro in San Diego, the 20-year-old had to come out in a pinch, but was solid behind, making 3 of his 3 tackles and making 7 of the duels. I won 5 of them.
– Ray Serrano, Louisville City FC – Serrano continued his return from injury, recording his first assist of the season, creating three chances and recording two of his three tackles defensively.
