Too often in soccer, it seems the strikers that rack up goals get all the credit for their team’s success.
But while a clinical striker is undoubtedly crucial to any team, sometimes not enough attention is given to the midfield playmaker that really makes things tick by creating chances and dictating the tempo of the game. For every Cristiano Ronaldo, there’s a Toni Kroos. For every Harry Kane, there’s a Christian Eriksen. And for No. 4 North Carolina's star forward Alan Winn, there’s Cam Lindley.
Lindley has racked up eight assists this season, tied for the team lead, adding his eighth on Tuesday night against James Madison on a beautifully delivered corner kick.
He’s set up Winn three times already this season, meaning just under half of the forward’s team-leading eight goals have come on assists from Lindley.
As far as playmakers go, there aren’t many better in the country right now than the midfielder from Carmel, Indiana.
Lindley said he credits hard work on the practice field for his high tally of assists this season.
“A lot of my assists come off of set pieces, so corners, free kicks, stuff like that,” he said after Tuesday night’s game. “Every day in practice we work on those, whether it be five times, 10 times, 15 times… So it’s kind of just been bringing it from the practice pitch onto the game pitch and that’s why we’ve been having success.”
That’s not to say that Lindley isn’t a goal-scorer. In fact, he’s third on the team in goals with five this season, including two in Tuesday’s 6-0 demolition of James Madison.
He also scored on a majestic strike from long-range against Pittsburgh back in September, showing off a cannon of a right leg that has terrified opposing defenders and goalkeepers alike this season.