If you look at Miguel Ibarra’s stats, you’ll see he leads MNUFC with three assists. If you dig a little deeper, you’ll see that all three of those assists are on match-winning goals. What the numbers won’t tell you is that he has played a key part in scoring eight of the Loons’ 11 goals this season. Ibarra is one of the rare players who can exert as much influence off the ball as he does on it.
THE ASSISTS
His run timing made the Loons’ match-winner against Orlando come together beautifully. Combined with a great flick from Mason Toye, Ibarra broke through a massive gap in the defense while staying very much onside. His service is absolutely flawless, finding Ethan Finlay at the top of the six-yard box for the finish.
He had another excellent, nearly mirror image, service last week against Houston. A quick give-and-go with Collin Martin creates space in the right corner for a quick service. Ibarra plays a low cross to the center of the box, setting up Ibson to do what he does best.
Ibarra was also instrumental in Sam Nicholson’s winner against Chicago, even if it was a secondary assist. After settling a ball from Christian Ramirez, he played a pass to Finlay down the right side, who served up a cross for Nicholson to finish.
THE ALMOST ASSISTS
The statisticians won’t award it, but you could make a case that Ibarra should have been given a couple mores assists this year.
Not only does he play a great through ball to Ethan Finlay to start the play on the first goal, but he picks up the pieces after the initial attempt is blocked and finds Ibson with a wonderful cross to the top of the six-yard box. Ibson buries the rebound, but if not for the initial save by the Fire goalkeeper, Ibarra would’ve gotten credit on the service.
If they gave out assists on penalties, Batman would have one in last week’s win over Houston. He finds Darwin Quintero on the far side with another excellent cross, and only a hand ball keeps the Colombian off the board.
THE OFF-BALL MOVEMENT
Let’s go back to match one against San Jose. As Molino turns to shoot from distance, Ibarra makes a diagonal run across the defensive line. He crosses in front of the last defender and the goalkeeper’s line of sight on the ball just as the shot is taken. That split-second screen slows the ‘keeper’s reaction just enough for the shot to sneak in.
SETTING THE PICK
For a player listed as 5-foot-7, Ibarra sure knows how to throw his weight around. There have been multiple occasions this year where he has been able to cause problems for guys a half-foot taller and 50 pounds heavier than him.
On the first goal of the year, Ibarra is cutting inside on the far post run. As Christian Ramirez plays the ball back to Molino, Ibarra puts on the brakes to set a pick on the last defender and allow Molino to go around and create a shooting lane.
In Seattle, Ibarra covers a lot of ground on the Loons’ lone goal of the match. First, he lays off the ball into space for Nicholson to serve a ball to Quintero on the far post. As the ball crosses over, he makes his move toward the right post to pass behind Ramirez. When Quintero chips the ball back, once again Ibarra puts on the brakes and prevents the Seattle defender from getting over to cover Ramirez. This gives the MNUFC forward an open header to tuck the ball just inside the far post.
When injuries befell Molino and Finlay, Ibarra took it upon himself to be the creator the Loons needed. Now, with the additions of Quintero and Alexi Gomez, the U.S. international seems to have become more involved in the playmaking process. He uses every tool in his utility belt to help his team and can make magic happen in unexpected ways.
