Scoring Methodology

 The premise of the player ratings is to identify good and bad actions that the players take over the course of the game that, when compounded, can contribute to goals for the USMNT or goals conceded. These actions are meant to be more detailed than basic post-game stats and are contextual based on where or how they occur. Certain actions may be subjective (i.e. different negative scores for possession loss depending on the immediate danger that is caused) but I will try to remain as objective as possible. In my reviews, I will provide both total score and average score per action for each player so that subs and players that are less involved in the game can be graded fairly. 

Scores are meant to be relative to the rest of the team, not an absolute metric. Scores are helpful for assessing who on the team is playing the most effectively in relation to their teammates. Over time I will refine how many points actions are worth so that an average performance should net a score of 0. As it currently stands, most average players come out with a positive score.  

The table below defines all of the point earning events (positive and negative) that I have charted thus far. Note that this is not an exhaustive list of every good or bad action, only the ones I have observed in the games thus far. For example, I have not had to score a foul leading to a penalty yet, but will add that event to the table once it occurs and I can rationalize an acceptable score for it. Also note that not every action in a game is a point scoring action. For example, backward passes and simple sideways passes recycling possession are not scored.

Action	Type	Good/Bad	Points	Description/Example
Poor off ball defense	Defense	Bad	-1	e.g. lack of awarness picking up runs, lack of tracking back, lack of marker the proper attacker. Amplified the closer it is to goal
Poor off ball defense (own 3rd)	Defense	Bad	-2
Poor off ball defense (in box)	Defense	Bad	-4
Poor on ball defense	Defense	Bad	-2	e.g. not closing defender down, biting on a fake, not take away preferred foot, etc.
Poor on ball defense (in box)	Defense	Bad	-4
Foul	Defense	Bad	-0.5
Foul (own 3rd)	Defense	Bad	-2
Poor clearance	Defense	Bad	-1.5	e.g. not clearing far enough, clearing directly to other team, hitting teammate, etc.
Corner conceded	Defense	Bad	-0.5	Not given if it was absolutely neccessary
Good clearance	Defense	Good	0.5
Block	Defense	Good	1	Bonus points for blocking a shot that appeared to be on target or dangerous
Block +	Defense	Good	2
Block ++	Defense	Good	3
Defended ball out of bounds	Defense	Good	0.25
Good defense (off ball)	Defense	Good	1
Good on ball defense	Defense	Good	1
Good on ball defense (own 3rd)	Defense	Good	2
Win possession	Defense	Good	1	Generally 1 point regardless of field position but i reserve the right to award bonus points in certain circumstances
Goal conceded (routine save)	GK	Bad	-4	Where an average keeper would be expected to make the save
Good save	GK	Good	3
GK claim cross	GK	Good	0.5
GK Clearance	GK	Good	1
Header lost	Header	Bad	-1	Losing a 50/50 duel to clear or win possession
Header lost (box)	Header	Bad	-2
Header clearance	Header	Good	0.5	Header cleared without neccessarily winning direct possession for team
Header won	Header	Good	1	Header leading directly to possession
Lost possession	On Ball	Bad	-1	Progressively harsher penalties depending on location and context. A single minus indicates a dangerous giveaway where there is cover behind the ball. A doubl minus is a sever error leading to an obvious chance on goal
Lost possession -	On Ball	Bad	-2
Lost possession --	On Ball	Bad	-4
Foul drawn	On Ball	Good	0.5
Foul drawn (final 3rd)	On Ball	Good	1.5
Foul drawn (pentalty)	On Ball	Good	5
Good retention under pressure	On Ball	Good	1
Good touch	On Ball	Good	0.5	Settling a difficult ball, or touch sets up a chance at a positive continuation play
Corner won	On Ball	Good	1.5
Progressive carry	On Ball	Good	1	Dribbling through or past a defender that is at least level with the player
Forward ball losing possession	Passing	Bad	-0.5	Long ball not neccessarily designed as a direct pass
Poor cross	Passing	Bad	-1	Cross does not beat first man, or goes through the box without opportunity for attacker to touch
Forward ball leading to possession	Passing	Good	0.25	Long ball not neccessarily designed as a direct pass
Offensive pass	Passing	Good	0.25	Quick played sideways passes in the final 3rd, which can unbalance a defense. These passes to do not earn points outside the final 3rd. Points are not given for short backward passes
Progressive pass	Passing	Good	1	Forward pass the progresses play (points are not given for obvious/short forward passes)
Progressive pass +	Passing	Good	2	Added difficulty of pass and/or pass find player with additional open space
Progressive pass ++	Passing	Good	4	Incisive forward pass directly creating a scoring chance (generally into the box)
Good cross	Passing	Good	1.5	Cross finds teammate in box or requires defender clearance
Good corner	Set Piece	Good	1	Corner beats first man and drops into box to be headed or cleared
Poor free kick	Set Piece	Bad	-1
Good free kick	Set Piece	Good	1	Free kick on target or passed into dangerous area
Shot deflected	Shooting	Good	2.5
Shot on target	Shooting	Good	3
Goal	Shooting	Good	6