u down with obv: center backs

We roll on with our series to show love to the top 5 players in On Ball Value (OBV) per 90 from the 2023 NWSL season. Last week we looked at goalkeepers, and figured out why, despite some errors, Orlando Pride just couldn’t quit Anna Moorhouse. In this edition we’re going to identify the top 5 at center backs.

If you’re just joining us, hi, hello, welcome, super glad you’re here. OBV is measured separately among a variety of actions players make throughout a game, and the best way to think about this metric is ‘how does a player’s interactions with the ball help their team score a goal, or increase their chance of conceding’ – yes, negative OBV exists. Oof.

Onto the center backs!