MIAMI, Florida – The 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf League is now down to eight teams following the conclusion of last week’s Round of 16.
Thus far through the first two rounds of the tournament, there have been notable accomplishments and statistics both at the individual and team level.
In the Round of 16 alone, 35 goals were scored, making it 201 goals total in the history of the SCL Round of 16 and 68 goals in 28 games in the 2022 edition for an average of 2.43 goals per game.
Forwards account for 37 of the 68 goals, midfielders have 23 and defenders have scored eight goals. The majority of those goals have unsurprisingly come from starters, 50, while 18 goals have been scored by substitutes.
There is a sizable difference in goals scored by half, with only 29 in the first 45 minutes, but 39 in the second stanza as legs tire. Meanwhile, home teams lead the way with 44 goals, while visiting sides account for just 24.
Arguably the most remarkable statistic of the 2022 SCCL thus far is the fact that there has not been a single comeback victory. When a team scores first, the match has either ended in victory for that team, or a draw.
On the individual level, there have been notable achievements, namely Olimpia’s Michaell Chirinos, who is now third all-time in goal participations (11) with five goals and six assists, ranking behind Johan Venegas (14 goals, 2 assists) and Kevin Lopez (8 goals, 7 assists).
Olimpia’s Michaell Chirinos, who is now third all-time in goal participations (11) with five goals and six assists.
Kevin Lopez of Comunicaciones played in his 30th SCL match and registered his seventh assist, which are both tops among all players all-time. Meanwhile, Real Espana’s Jhow Benavidez leads the 2022 SCL in completed passes (186) and corner kicks (15).
Kevin Lopez # 34 of Comunicaciones played in his 30th SCL match and registered his seventh assist, which are both tops among all players all-time.
At the team level, not only did Motagua of Honduras become the all-time wins leader in SCL history with 14, but they also have the most goals (42), clean sheets (14) and games with a goal scored (24).
It will be interesting to see which players are able to separate themselves from the pack in the quest to become top scorer of the tournament. At present, four players share the scoring lead with three goals: Doryan Rodriguez of Alajuelense and Ramiro Rocca of Real Espana are still in the tournament, while Alejandro Diaz of Pacific and Eduardo Rotondi of Municipal saw their sides eliminated.
Four players share the lead for the most assists in the 2022 SCL (2), yet only Olimpia’s Jose Pinto remains alive in the tournament.
In net, Olimpia GK Edrick Mejivar leads all shot-stoppers in saves with 17, with his closest pursuer still active in the tournament being fellow Honduran Luis Lopez of Real Espana, with 12 saves.