2025-07-20, 04:57 PM - Word count:
Stop minding the stats. Focus on the progression.
That’s what Tyekjavik United right attacking middle George Shaheen has to continue to remind himself as S21 of the SSL rolls along.
Shaheen’s club is doing great. At seven wins, two losses, and one draw, Reykjavik’s 22 total points is enough to have them even with Uniao Sao Paulo and Hollywood FC atop the Major League table. Reykjavik leagues the league with 35 goals scored. Since starting 0-2, Reykjavik proceeded to win 7 straight matches before drawing with Hollywood on Matchday 10.
However, when Shaheen lets his mind wander and falls to the temptation of checking metrics and statistics, he can’t help but feel his game is regressing a bit. For example, in three of his last four matches, he posted an average match grade of just 6.68, 6.5 and 6.48. His passing percentage has more often been lagging in the 70-79% range. And he’s managed just two assists over the course of his last three matches.
A season ago, Shaheen had been a machine at setting up teammates. This season, more often it feels as though Shaheen is missing out on being in the right place to do so, and when he is in the right spot, is lacking the accuracy necessary to transition his attack into a teammate goal.
But that’s focusing on the individual, not on the team. The team is healthy, and Shaheen is a part of that, having logged 90 minutes in every match this season.
As long as Reykjavik keeps winning, and Shaheen keeps putting in the work to improve, the temptation to check the box scores and stat lines should wane.
That’s what Tyekjavik United right attacking middle George Shaheen has to continue to remind himself as S21 of the SSL rolls along.
Shaheen’s club is doing great. At seven wins, two losses, and one draw, Reykjavik’s 22 total points is enough to have them even with Uniao Sao Paulo and Hollywood FC atop the Major League table. Reykjavik leagues the league with 35 goals scored. Since starting 0-2, Reykjavik proceeded to win 7 straight matches before drawing with Hollywood on Matchday 10.
However, when Shaheen lets his mind wander and falls to the temptation of checking metrics and statistics, he can’t help but feel his game is regressing a bit. For example, in three of his last four matches, he posted an average match grade of just 6.68, 6.5 and 6.48. His passing percentage has more often been lagging in the 70-79% range. And he’s managed just two assists over the course of his last three matches.
A season ago, Shaheen had been a machine at setting up teammates. This season, more often it feels as though Shaheen is missing out on being in the right place to do so, and when he is in the right spot, is lacking the accuracy necessary to transition his attack into a teammate goal.
But that’s focusing on the individual, not on the team. The team is healthy, and Shaheen is a part of that, having logged 90 minutes in every match this season.
As long as Reykjavik keeps winning, and Shaheen keeps putting in the work to improve, the temptation to check the box scores and stat lines should wane.
