:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44281738/usa-today-8094669.0.jpg)
The day was August 5th. Rumblings started coming out that RSL was about to sign a new DP forward. The #JaimeWatch had begun, but it would be another month before fans would see Sebastian Jaime first take the field in an RSL kit. Jaime went on to make six appearances in regular season games for the club.
Many people still wonder how good Jaime will be. In those six appearances he failed to score or goal or get credited with an assist. But by looking closer at the numbers, it is apparent that Jaime did create a positive effect on the team and showed flashes of his skill that should have fans excited for him next season.
Jaime was very aggressive in his shot attempts in his limited playing time this season. He averaged taking 2.7 shots every 90 minutes played. This would rank him second on the team. But he wasn't just taking wild attempts on goal. 62 percent of his shots were actually on frame. This is by far the highest percentage on the team. He ended the season averaging 1.7 shots on goal every 90 minutes that he played. And while none of those shots hit the back of the net, a couple of those were only kept out by great plays by the opposing keepers.
Not only was he pretty good on the attacking side of the ball, he also played great defense. He was wonderful on clearing the ball during set pieces. The numbers back this up as well. During the 261 minutes that he did play, the team only gave up 2 goals (or a goal every 130.5 minutes). When he didn't play the team was averaging giving up a goal every 75 minutes.
The numbers show that the team played better offense while Jaime was on the pitch as well. RSL averaged scoring a goal every 32 minutes when Jaime played. By comparison the team only scored a goal every 63 minutes when he was not in matches.
While the time he played was limited this season, Jaime played well in the time he was on the pitch. It will be interesting to see what chemistry he can build with Joao Plata and Alvaro Saborio when they have a whole preseason to work together. RSL fans should be excited at the thought of seeing what he can do in 2015.
Editor's note: This is part of a series of player profiles recapping the 2014 season and previewing the 2015 season. Player ratings were compiled via a vote by RSL Soapbox writers. Statistics are via mlssoccer.com.