Improved Statistics in Soccer

Statistics are a very important part of any sport.  In many sports, such as baseball, statistics are kept on just about every aspect of the game.  Soccer is now entering into this world of data with companies like Opta, who are leading in the pursuit of advanced metrics in the game.  Now there are ways to evaluate strikers, midfielders, and backs like there have never been before.  The Opta website has data on every player in every World Cup since 1966.  Opta can also collect 2000 events of data during a game that they convert to statistics.  Now, strikers are not only rated by goals and assists.  Opta can keep data on "key passes," or passes that lead to missed shots on the goal, and "big chances," or one on one plays that should result in a goal.  The data can even be broken down to show where the majority of goals are scored.  New, advanced data in soccer can change the way the game is coached, played, and the way players are evaluated.  Now there will be concrete numbers that will show a player's ability.

Like with all statistics, however, numbers can only show so much.  There can be many things documented, such as number of interceptions, recoveries, etc., but the numbers cannot show a player's importance to a team in other aspects such as charisma, leadership, and the ability to inspire. 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1597790-the-most-important-new-advanced-soccer-statistics-and-why-they-matter