By the Numbers
Is Mix Diskerud a Good Luck Charm, or Just Good?
The 23-year-old Norwegian-American is charming—there's no doubt about that. But Brian Sciaretta crunched some numbers and it appears that Diskerud is a good luck charm too.
CONSIDERING HIS STRONG performance against the Czech Republic last month, it wouldn't be the least bit surprising to see Mix Dixerud get the start against Ecuador on Friday.
Diskerud made Jurgen Klinsmann's 2014 World Cup roster, you may recall, but he did not play in Brazil. Perhaps he should have. When Diskerud takes the field the United States almost always performs well—ridiculously well, actually. In his 21 caps, the U.S. national team has a record of 17 wins, three draws and one loss.
Luck no doubt plays a factor in some of this. For example, when Diskerud was substituted out of the 2013 friendly against Bosnia, the U.S. trailed 2-0, the Yanks came back to win 4-3, and Diskerud should have been awarded a penalty before he came off. On the other hand, the one U.S. defeat Diskerud participated in came against Austria—and Diskerud was not on the field when the decisive goal was scored.
It's entirely possible that Diskerud's personal won-loss record is more than just a novelty or a quirk: it includes opponents such as Russia, Mexico, Turkey, Nigeria, Mexico, Chile, South Africa, and the Czech Republic. His most memorable moments: his game-winning assist (feeding Juan Agudelo) in his first U.S. appearance; his equalizer against Russia in Krasnodar; and his highlight-reel assist to Landon Donovan against Mexico in Columbus, Ohio.
Also included in Diskerud’s 21 caps are near-perfect records in U.S national team home games (13 wins and one draw) and games in which he has started (eight wins, one draw). In the games which Diskerud has played, the U.S. national team has outscored its opponents 50-15.
While Diskerud had has not played every minute of the games in which he has appeared, the numbers when he is on the field also impressive. So far he had played 998 minutes for the national team. While he has been on the field, the U.S. has outscored its opponents 31-8. That means the U.S. has scored a goal every 32.2 minutes while Diskerud has been on the field and has allowed a goal just once every 124.75 minutes.
Not bad at all.
What do you think—fluke? Circumstance? Or is Diskerud a game-changer that deserves more playing time? Give your take below.
It's entirely possible that Diskerud's personal won-loss record is more than just a novelty or a quirk: it includes opponents such as Russia, Mexico, Turkey, Nigeria, Mexico, Chile, South Africa, and the Czech Republic. His most memorable moments: his game-winning assist (feeding Juan Agudelo) in his first U.S. appearance; his equalizer against Russia in Krasnodar; and his highlight-reel assist to Landon Donovan against Mexico in Columbus, Ohio.
Also included in Diskerud’s 21 caps are near-perfect records in U.S national team home games (13 wins and one draw) and games in which he has started (eight wins, one draw). In the games which Diskerud has played, the U.S. national team has outscored its opponents 50-15.
While Diskerud had has not played every minute of the games in which he has appeared, the numbers when he is on the field also impressive. So far he had played 998 minutes for the national team. While he has been on the field, the U.S. has outscored its opponents 31-8. That means the U.S. has scored a goal every 32.2 minutes while Diskerud has been on the field and has allowed a goal just once every 124.75 minutes.
Not bad at all.
What do you think—fluke? Circumstance? Or is Diskerud a game-changer that deserves more playing time? Give your take below.
