Anthony Fontana had just two goals in 13 games in his first two years with the Philadelphia Union. Since bagging a brace against the New England Revolution on Sept. 12, the homegrown midfielder has tallied a total of six goals in his third professional season.
According to the difference between his expected goals and actual goals, the 21-year-old is the best finisher in MLS right now — above the likes of Jeremy Ebobisse, Diego Valeri and Lucas Zelarayan.
Player |
Goals |
Expected Goals |
G-xG |
|---|---|---|---|
Anthony Fontana (PHI) |
6 |
2.22 |
+3.78 |
Jeremy Ebobisse (POR) |
8 |
4.34 |
+3.66 |
Diego Valeri (POR) |
7 |
3.37 |
+3.63 |
Lucas Zelarayan (CLB) |
5 |
1.70 |
+3.30 |
Kevin Molino (MIN) |
7 |
3.91 |
+3.09 |
Fontana would be expected to score around two goals on average based on the quality of his chances, making the six goals he has quite impressive. Of course we will have to wait and see if this kind of finishing prowess is sustainable.
WATCH: Fontana's best goals
Back in 2017, Philadelphia head coach Jim Curtin said that the goal of the Union’s youth academy was to “find the next [Christian] Pulisic, the next [Clint] Dempsey, the next Landon Donovan," and with the way that Fontana is playing, they might have done just that.
"[H]is ability to arrive in the box at the right time and make plays reminds me of a guy who used to play here in Clint Dempsey, where he just had a knack for being in the right place at the right time, those deep runs that are hard to track for center backs," he said after their Oct. 19 win over the Revs.
"I’m not saying that’s what Anthony is or he’s that talented, but the similarities in their movement in the box is something that I think is a real comparison, and it’s a special one, to do it from a deep spot."
