Soccer has long been a game untouched by the world of statistics, with the primary statistical differentiator between players being merely amount of goals or assists. But thanks to player tracking technology and advanced algorithms, MLS sponsor Audi is trying to change that mentality in one of the fastest growing soccer leagues in the world.
Audi and the MLS announced the creation of the Audi Player Index in March, but fans have not been able to follow player ratings going up or down in real-time, during a game.
“We launched the Audi Player Index to bring our focus on innovation to MLS in the form of real-time statistics,” said Loren Angelo, Director of Marketing, Audi of America. “As part of our commitment to growing the sport of soccer in the United States, we are thrilled to see fans using this technology to engage in MLS games to heighten their experience.”
The statistics are accessible in a few different ways. Anybody can access the information with the MLS App or via the MLS Match Center online.
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Opening up the Audi Player Index section of the MLS App, you are immediately greeted by a number of different stats sheets and accompanying videos. Following the conclusion of every week of MLS action, players are ranked according to their cumulative score via data from Opta Sports. The Audi Player Index lists the top twenty players of each week, with regards to their positive effect on the team’s match.
Opta Sports provides each player’s scores based on any number of factors in a game. For example, the most influential play that a forward could possibly make would be to score a goal from outside of the box, giving them 545 points.
In addition to this, Opta Sports uses player-tracking technology to bring another layer of statistics into account. With this, they are able to bring something like positional awareness into the world of statistical ratings.
Check out Audi’s promotional video below. This is certainly one of the more unique marketing campaigns for a league sponsor throughout the sporting world.