The plus/minus statistic is better known for its usage in hockey. Basically, if you're on the ice when your team scores, you have a +1 plus/minus stat (OK, skip to fourth paragraph if you know what this is already).
Let's say the other team ties it up while you're still playing. Now you're back down to 0 plus/minus in a 1-1 game. If the score changes while you're not playing, your plus/minus doesn't change.
Well now the plus/minus stat is being used in the NBA by stat geeks, so why not bring it to soccer (far more similar to hockey in frequency of points and point differential than basketball)?
There happens to be some gray area here, so keep in mind these are UNOFFICIAL stats. And by unofficial, I mean I computed them.
See, in an away game at Puerto Rico in which Josh Gardner scored in the 83rd minute, there were also a few substitutions in the 83rd minute. I'm not sure if those subs came right before or after the goal was scored, but I went with before. I watched that game online but can't remember how it went down. All I know is they celebrated for nearly an hour after his 40-yarder went in (OK, so it was more like 40-50 seconds), so I added the numbers as if the subs came before the goal.
Bottom line: if you're on a good team playing 90 minutes will help your plus/minus substantially. Especially if you're on the back line and are rarely, if ever, substituted out.
Seven of the team's top eight in this category are defenders, goalkeepers or defensive midfielders. Gregory Richardson is the lone exception.
Keep in mind that the RailHawks as a team are +7 -- having scored 19 goals while allowing 12. That much is reaffirmed when looking at the two goalkeepers. Eric Reed is +8 through 13 matches while Nic Platter is -1 through two.
Plus/Minus
Eric Reed: +8
Mark Schulte: +8
Matt Bobo: +7
David Hayes: +6
Greg Shields: +6
Amir Lowery: +5
Gregory Richardson: +5
Brad Rusin: +5
Josh Gardner: +4
Etienne Barbara: +3
Andriyy Budnyy: +3
Sallieu Bundu: +3
Floyd Franks: +3
Joseph Kabwe: +3
Jun Marques Davidson: +2
Daniel Paladini: +2
Matt Watson: +2
Cory Elenio: +1
John Gilkerson: 0
Nic Platter: -1
Tiyi Shipalane: -1
