Bassi's Brilliance: Amine Bassi Becoming a Creative Powerhouse in MLS
(image via Diego Martinez)
Major League Soccer has become a league of big-name number 10s. Look at most rosters around the league and you will see an attacking midfielder that creates chances and leads the attack. From Lionel Messi to Lucho Acosta to Riqui Puig, the stars are out in MLS this season. One name that has thrust himself into that discussion and into what should be a MVP discussion is Houston Dynamo midfielder Amine Bassi.
The 26-year-old has just two goals and six assists in the 2024 MLS season, the “eye-catching” numbers that will ultimately keep him out of any discussions for Most Valuable Player. But, if we dig deep into his numbers this season, we can see Bassi is one of the best creative players in the league this season.
(via fbref.com)
Looking at Bassi’s scouting report from FBRef, we can see his goal scoring is down but his shot-creating and passing are in the upper percentiles. Keep in mind, these percentiles are compared to all players in the leagues outside of the top European leagues, including the second divisions in England, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain and leagues such as Liga MX, Belgian Pro League, and the Dutch Eredivise.
(via fbref.com)
When looking deeper into the FBRef scouting report at particularly the passing section, we can see how elite Bassi has been this season. The French-born midfielder is in the 99th percentile of passes completed, attempted, and completion percentage. He is also in the 98th percentile in total passing distance and progressive passes, which measures completed passes that move the ball at least 10 yards toward the opposition goal or any completed pass in the opposition 18-yard-box.
(via fbref.com)
Among MLS playmakers, we can see Bassi has the 8th highest, shot-creating actions in the league, just behind his teammate Hector Herrera and stars like Messi, Acosta, and Carles Gil. Shot-creating actions are the two offensive actions that lead directly to a shot and can include a shot, pass, take-on dribble, or drawing a foul. Bassi is in the upper tier of shot-creators in the league this season. With Herrera and Bassi in the midfield, this bodes very well for Ezequiel Ponce as he continues to grow into the team. We saw the Bassi-Ponce connection against Toulca and should see it quite a bit more often.
Ben Olsen’s possession style fits Bassi extremely well. His ability to make almost every pass helps the Dynamo not only hold onto the ball, but to create chances. Sebastian Kowalczyk has great passing numbers too, his pass completion is also in the 99th percentile, but he only creates 2.34 shots per 90 minutes compared to Bassi’s 5.35. The Polish midfielder fits the possession style well, but he doesn’t bring the creation like Bassi does, but to be fair, few around the world do in 2024.
Herrera and Bassi give the Dynamo two of the best engines in MLS and paired with Ponce and Lawrence Ennali now, the Dynamo offense looks to get even more lethal. Coco Carrasquilla should return from injury soon as well, giving Houston a front five in attack that rivals anyone in the league.
Even among Dynamo fans, Bassi probably doesn’t get the recognition he deserves. He isn’t the “DP number 10” that fans clamor for but he is playing at their level this season. The goals and assists aren’t there either, something that pops for fans. Bassi became a bit of a club hero last season with all his penalty kick goals (and his dancing) but he’s having an even better 2024 than 2023. Does Bassi miss creating some chances? It’s possible he does but those are few and far between based on all his passing and creating metrics.
As the Dynamo begin their push for the playoffs and a good finish in the Western Conference table, Bassi will be key to how high they can climb. He most likely won’t receive the national plaudits like Best XI or MVP but make no mistake, Amine Bassi has been one of the best players in Major League Soccer in 2024.
