Change the point of attack. Recover possession. Set the level of confrontation. Take players on and go for goal.
The jobs of the center midfielder are many. Perhaps no one in MLS excels in all areas quite like Minnesota United FC’s Ibson. Even opposing coaches are taking notice of the former NASL player.
The Brazilian has been the constant in the Loons’ debut season, ranking second on the team with 26 starts and 28 matches played. And lately, as Minnesota continues to show progress after a poor start to the season, his play has continued to heat up.
Ibson’s September average of 617 Audi Player Index points per game is the 10th best mark in the league. It also far outpaces the MLS midfielder average for that time frame: 264.
The midfielder’s best game of the month came against the Montreal Impact. In that match, Ibson bossed the game to the tune of a match-high 991 Audi Index points. His passing statistics were excellent, but he was also credited for winning seven tackles, which shows his willingness to defend.
In September, he surpassed the league average in a number of categories, including take ons won, tackles won, and successful passes in the opposition half. Taken together, they paint a picture of a player who’s excelling in all areas of the game.
The 33-year-old took the field Tuesday night against Atlanta United, playing 90 minutes in a winning effort. He finished with 579 Audi Player Index points, good for third-highest total on the team as they won their third game in four tries.
Ibson gets his next chance to impress as Minnesota hosts Sporting Kansas City this Saturday (8 pm ET, MLS LIVE).
