Welcome back, this week we continue to move down the field and look at our Defenders!
As a reminder, the players discussed today are all listed as Defenders on the team’s website. This week I will continue to focus on key stats that are traditionally attributed to Defenders: tackles, interceptions, and duels. The club separates duels and aerial duels, but for ease of breaking down each player, I will be combining those stats into one category.
As a reminder, I will use the following verdicts after making my statistical case for each player:
- Lock: these are for players that should be considered guarantee resigning.
- Mixed: There is an argument to resign this player but don’t be surprised if they’re not back in 2021.
- Gone: these are for players that are likely not coming back next season at all.
Players listed as Defender alphabetically by first name:
Daltyn Knutson:
Daltyn was one of the defenders that was able to be very versatile throughout the season and part of a trio with very similar stats, making them very interchangeable. He played across the backline and was able to go forward on occasion. Daltyn played in 11 games, starting in 9 of those while playing a total of 871 minutes and was never subbed off. While he was considered a defender, Daltyn was able to attempt 7 total shots, with 3 on target (43% accuracy) but did not score a goal or provide an assist. I point these stats out because it shows Daltyn was more versatile than we realized.
Daltyn also finished within the top 10 in passing attempts on the entire team, completing 78% of his 376 passes. In addition to having a high completion percentage, 40% of his pass attempts were forward, meaning Daltyn was getting the ball out of our defensive third.
Defensively Daltyn had 30 clearances (2nd on the team), 4 blocks (tied for 3rd), 12 interceptions (7th), and attempted 14 tackles while winning 9. Daltyn participated in 114 total duels, winning 79 of those or 69%. What this shows me is that Daltyn was winning the ball defensively and, pairing these with his passing stats, getting the ball back down the field. In my book, this is exactly what you hope for from a defender.
2021 Verdict: Lock. Daltyn’s versatility was key this season with a smaller roster and when needing depth. He played well in all areas of the field and should continue to help anchor the backline in 2021. Additionally, Daltyn began gaining starts in the XI during the stretch run, which shows he worked and earned the spot as the season went on.
Damia Viader:
Dami is another example of a very versatile player. On paper Dami is considered a defender but let’s be honest, he was at home on the wing and midfield. Dami played in 13 matches (thanks for the broken ribs Chattanooga), starting 12 of those matches, Dami’s lone non-start was a substitution appearance after recovering from his broken ribs. Dami played 1,049 minutes, one of 6 players to play over 1,000 minutes this season.
Offensively Dami was dangerous throughout the season. He attempted 351 passes, completing 74% of them. He contributed 1 assist. Dami also attempted 5 shots, with 2 on target or a 40% accuracy. These stats don’t seem to show that Dami was an offensive threat but the intangible with Dami was his ability to get forward and draw defenders to him. Dami is also the only defender in the top 5 on the team with chances created at 21 in his 13 appearances. This is where you see Dami’s contributions to the offense come to light.
Defensively Dami contributed 12 clearances, 2 blocks, 23 interceptions, and attempted 37 tackles while winning 24. Dami had 151 total duels winning 94, or 62%. The vast majority of Dami’s duels were with the ball on the ground.
Combining all Dami’s stats, I feel that his defensive stats, particularly his duel stats, explain my intangible comment in the offensive section. Dami was able to intercept or tackle to win the ball AND was able to win one-on-one duels with the ball on the pitch. He then used those opportunities to create the 3rd most chances on the team.
2021 Verdict: Lock. Dami was on the League One Team of the Season First Team and it was well deserved. Not many players are locks in everyone’s minds but I’m guessing you walked into this article knowing that Dami was a lock.
Ferrety Sousa:
Sousa was another player that grew into his role and into the team as the season went on. He went from being an energy sub late in games to a starter and captain towards the end of the season. Plus, he has a pretty sweet backflip celebration in his arsenal. Sousa played in 13 matches, starting 7 of those while playing 735 minutes.
Sousa attempted 279 passes while completing 76% of those passes. In addition, 50% of Sousa’s passes were forward! Sousa had 8 total shot attempts, with 3 on target. He scored 1 (amazing) goal but did not contribute an assist. Looking at the passing stats, and once you see these defensive stats, you begin to see why Sousa was so important to this team.
Defensively Sousa had 12 clearances, 2 blocks, 11 interceptions, and attempted 19 tackles while winning 13 (68%). Sousa was in 85 total duels, winning 49 for a 58% success rate. Specifically, Sousa won 10/11 aerial duels (91%) this season. I point out those three percentages to highlight where Sousa was the most effective. What these defensive stats show me, is that Sousa was aggressive in his defensive duties. He won a high percentage of his tackles and duels, and that aerial duel stat is impressive for a player that stands 5 foot 7 inches.
2021 Verdict: Lock. Sousa not only proved his worth throughout the season but earned the trust of Jay Mims by getting handed the captain’s armband at the end of the season. Sousa is one of our older players at 29 years old, but his veteran presence and his steady play are something we need on a team with younger players. If Sebas is truly gone from this team in 2021, then Sousa needs to come back and captain this team again.
Illal Osumanu:
Illal is the type of defender I love to have on my team. He does a lot of the dirty work and doesn’t care if he gets the individual praise at the end of the day. He has a job to do and he does it at a very high level. Illal played in 15 matches this season starting in 14 and playing a total of 1,305 minutes, second only to Rashid Nuhu.
Illal’s passing is the first area where you notice he is a step above his backline mates. Illal completed the most passes (497) and had the highest completion percentage (91%) on the team. That is an amazing stat no matter where you’re playing on the field, but for a defender to meet those marks is phenomenal. The next closest in completed passes was Midfielder Devin Boyce with 452, a full 45 passes less than Illal. On top of such a high passing accuracy, 148 of those passes were forward meaning Illal was not only completing passes but also moving the ball out of Union Omaha’s defensive third.
Illal also turned in team leading stats on the defensive end. He led the team in clearances (58) and blocks (11) while tying for second in interceptions (16). Illal was also able to win 8/10 tackles attempted for an 80% success rate. Illal was involved in 96 total duels while winning 68 for a 71% success rate. What does this tell us? Defensively Illal was able to stop attacks and, when combined with his passing stats, he was able to get the ball up the field to help start the attack. All hallmarks of a great counter-attacking team.
2021 Verdict: Lock. Illal was anchored the backline for the majority of the season, only missing one match this season. While playing the 2nd most minutes on the team, he was able to amass team leading stats. Look for Illal’s option to be picked up for 2021.
Jake Crull:
Jake Crull is the second of my trio of defenders that have very similar stats from the 2020 season. This type of continuity only helps Union Omaha when a full season is played and depth may become an issue.
Jake played in 13 games and started 11 while playing 926 total minutes, sound familiar? Jake completed 421 passes (4th on the team) with a 75% completion rate. 52% (219) of Jake’s passes were forward and he completed the second most long passes on the team, behind only Rashid Nuhu.
Jake was also in the top 5 for clearances (18), in the top 6 for blocks (4) and interceptions (13). Jake won 9/13 tackles he attempted and was involved in 82 total duels, winning 45. Much like Daltyn, Jake was a solid defender this season. He quietly accumulated stats that put him in the top 5 in major defensive categories, which is what you want from a defender.
2021 Verdict: Lock. If Daltyn’s stats and performances are enough to make him a lock, it’s hard to say any different for Jake Crull. He’s a young defender who only has room to grow and he is already on that path. Look for Jake to be back with the Búhos next season.
Luke Hauswirth:
The final member of my interchangeable trio. Luke Hauswirth played in 11 games starting 9 while playing 738 total minutes. Luke successfully completed 269 of his passes for a 76% completion rate. Much like the other 2 in the trio, Luke used the long ball and forward passes more often.
Luke’s defensive stats are right up there with Daltyn and Jake. He had 15 clearances and 15 interceptions (both top 5 on the team), however, he was not credited with a block this season. Luke successfully completed 10/16 tackles and was involved in 94 duels while winning 47.
2021 Verdict: Lock. Did you think I’d break up the triplets? Luke deserves to have his option picked up just as much as Daltyn and Jake. The three of them are very interchangeable and allow Jay to rotate his backline, without losing anything statistically.
Nathan Aune:
Nathan Aune played in 4 matches while starting 3 and playing 271 minutes. He saw the pitch the least of any defender this season. While on the pitch he completed 131 passes for a 73% success.
Nathan was also credited with 6 clearances, 1 block, and 6 interceptions. He won 2/4 tackles he was involved in and was involved in 43 duels, winning 24. Nathan just did not see the pitch enough to make a huge impact.
2021 Verdict: Mixed. Nathan could easily be brought back for 2021. He’s a younger defender who was playing his first professional season. He’s the tallest defender we have at 6 foot 4 inches, which could make him more of an aerial threat next season. His lack of playing time could be attributed to finding his way as a professional.
Nathan could also easily be gone next season. Losing him doesn’t change your defensive core and Union Omaha could find other young defenders to fill in as depth positions. While he was the tallest defender, his aerial duel win percentage was barely over 50%.
Final score: 6 locks and 1 mixed.
It’s really difficult to see many of our defenders not getting an extension in 2021. They were part of a defensive effort that only gave up 15 goals all season and was routinely considered one of the best defenses in League One. With Dami, Sousa, and Illal all consistently starting and having three additional players that can play anywhere along the backline, returning this defense for next season makes the most sense.
Let me know what you think! Do you agree with my locks? Do you disagree with any of my picks? What would you change?
Next time: Goalkeepers
Who Gives A Hoot? 