Ali Adnan was heavily involved for Vancouver Whitecaps FC in 2020, and he was arguably the best attacking defender in MLS.
The Iraqi international led the 'Caps in touches, recoveries, and interceptions.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC – Touches1 | ||
| 1 | Ali Adnan | 1,294 |
2 | Jake Nerwinski | 1,120 |
3 | Russell Teibert | 886 |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC – Recoveries1 | ||
| 1 | Ali Adnan | 100 |
2 | Jake Nerwinski | 99 |
3 | Leo Owusu | 98 |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC – Interceptions1 | ||
| 1 | Ali Adnan | 40 |
2 | Jake Nerwinski | 29 |
3 | Russell Teibert | 26 |
At the attacking end of the pitch, Adnan tied for tops among MLS defenders in assists
MLS – Assists (Defenders)1 | |||
| T-1 | Ali Adnan | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 5 |
T-1 | Jorge Villafaña | Portland Timbers | 5 |
3 | Anton Tinnerholm | New York City FC | 4 |
The Lion possesses a skill set not common among defenders. He scored two terrific goals for the 'Caps, including the fan-voted Goal of the Year for the club. Despite an expected goal percentage of only six per cent, his dipping free kick from 31.7 yards out reached 99.5 kilometres/hour to rip the mesh.2
Outside of the goals and assists, he led all MLS defenders in big chances created and was fourth in dribbles completed.
MLS – Big Chances Created (Defenders)1 | |||
| 1 | Ali Adnan | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 8 |
T-2 | Ronald Matarrita | New York City FC | 7 |
T-2 | Julian Gressel | D.C. United | 7 |
MLS – Dribbles Completed (Defenders)1 | |||
1 | Aaron Herrera | Real Salt Lake | 42 |
2 | Kyle Duncan | New York Red Bulls | 40 |
3 | Zachary Brault-Guillard | Montreal Impact | 29 |
| 4 | Ali Adnan | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 28 |
Always battling, Adnan finished second among MLS defenders in duels won.
MLS – Duels Won (Defenders)1 | |||
1 | Kyle Duncan | New York Red Bulls | 171 |
| 2 | Ali Adnan | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 134 |
3 | Brandon Bye | New England Revolution | 131 |
So what's next for the man known as Alawi? We'll have to wait until 2021 to find out.
1Opta
2Second Spectrum
