Defense Wins Championships

Hypothetical situation, if you were to go to a local New York Red Bull game and ask 50 fans what the key to victory was in the Red Bulls 1-0 victory over the Chicago Fire, majority would say, the 1 goal scored. However, in most 1-0 victories, the key number in that equation is the 0 goals allowed. Defense is monumentally important in all sports, especially soccer, and just as overlooked and underappreciated. Ironically to me, the stamp of a good defender is a player who you don't really notice on the pitch. They go about their business, win their tackles, win their headers, keep the teams shape, and then play simple passes to keep possession. It's nothing that's going to get the fans on their feet screaming "Oh and Ah," but it's their steady, disciplined work that allows the midfield players and attacking players to have the freedom to perform their jobs. Next time you find yourself at a soccer game, appreciate the selfless work of the players in the back. Without them, none of the goal scoring you appreciate would be possible.