Soccer Stats Parents Should Track: Beyond Goals
Your kid scored once. But what about the other 89 minutes? Did they create chances? Defend? Control possession?
Soccer stats are more nuanced than hockey or basketball. Here's what actually matters.
The Key Stats
Goals & Assists
The obvious ones. Goals are chances finished. Assists are chances created. Both matter. A player with 3 goals and 2 assists is more complete than one with 5 goals and 0 assists.
Shots on Goal (SOG)
Shows aggression and involvement. High SOG means your kid is hunting chances. Low SOG means they're playing safer. Both have purpose depending on position.
Passes Completed (pass success %)
Possession control. A 75% pass completion rate means your kid is moving the ball effectively. 60% means loose play or high-risk passing.
Tackles & Interceptions
Defense. A midfielder or defender with 4 tackles shows active play. Forwards usually have fewer but any tackle shows defensive effort.
Distance Covered
Work rate. Soccer is about movement and positioning. High distance covered means your kid was always involved. Low distance means they're stationary or subbed out early.
Position-Specific Focus
Strikers: Track Goals, SOG, Assists, Pass %, Tackles
Midfielders: Track Passes, Pass %, Tackles, Assists, Distance Covered
Defenders: Track Tackles, Interceptions, Pass %, Distance Covered, Goals Conceded (for context)
Goalkeepers: Saves, Save %, Clean Sheets, Distribution Quality
The Real Story
A player with 1 goal but 5 assists, 8 tackles, and 80% pass completion just had a masterclass match. They controlled the game. Yes, they scored once. But their real contribution is the 14 other things that mattered more.
Track these stats and you'll see your kid's true role on the team. That's worth keeping forever.
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Sam Menard
Founder & Product Strategist
Digital health executive who's scaled products across 90+ markets. Girls hockey coach, girldad, and founder of Pull My Card. Built because sports parents deserve a way to celebrate every season.
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