Anton Tinnerholm was Good at Soccer (and was the Best Fullback in MLS History)
Anton Tinnerholm was Good at Soccer (and was the Best Fullback in MLS History)
Following Anton Tinnerholm’s departure from NYCFC during the offseason, Chris Campbell takes a deep look back at the Swede’s time in the Big Apple.
From the moment he stepped foot in New York City, Anton Tinnerholm was good at soccer. It didn’t take long for the incoming transfer from Malmö FF to warm up to the NYCFC faithful after joining in the 2017-2018 winter window.
In just his second game in City blue, the Swedish veteran blasted a full-volley off the underside of the crossbar against LA Galaxy, resulting in the instantaneous nickname of “Tinnerboom”. A Galaxy defender blocked a cross attempt from David Villa, popping the ball up in the air. Tinnerholm followed up on the loose ball slamming it with his left foot before it touched the ground for the golazo.
The very next match, against the other half of the California Clásico, Tinnerholm rocketed another full-volley off the underside of the crossbar in for the go ahead goal in San Jose. This time, it was a designed corner-kick play in which a screen set by Yangel Herrera allowed Tinnerholm to remain unmarked and smash the in-swinging corner from Maxi Moralez.
While these bangers filled the highlight reels and became the trademark play from the Norse fullback, Tinnerholm provided an all-around skillset to the right back position, resulting in the highest career goals added (g+) per 96 minutes for any fullback in MLS since 2013.1
Furthermore, Tinnerholm holds three of the top four g+ per 96 seasons at the position. He also joins Sebastián Blanco, Alberth Elis, David Villa, Bradley Wright-Phillips, and Josef Martínez as the only players in league history to have a total g+ above average of 2.30 in three straight seasons.
Following Tinnerholm’s breakout season in 2018, head coach Domènec Torrent looked to style the club’s play around the fullback pair of the Swede and Costa Rican left back Ronald Matarrita. Torrent often looked to bomb both fullbacks forward, switching play when entering the final third to free up one of the talented backs. This resulted in the highest g+ per 96 for any fullback combination in MLS history for the 2019 season.
When Ronny Deila took over as head coach in 2020, he continued to play through NYCFC’s talented fullbacks, resulting in the second-highest g+ per 96 for any fullback combination in MLS history. Deila concentrated the attack down the right flank, playing through Tinnerholm, having him combine with Maxi Moralez, Heber, and Jesus Medina to break down the opposing defense.
Tinnerholm often received the ball in the defensive third where he was able to execute his choice of options:
First, Tinnerholm could look to play the ball in behind for whoever was manning the right-wing position.
Second, Tinnerholm could combine with Moralez or Medina in the right-central channel, followed by a quick switch of play to a streaking Ronald Matarrita down the left flank with acres of space.
Finally, Tinnerholm could make the central play, continue his run down the right, and receive the return pass entering into the final third.
With Deila directing traffic through Tinnerholm, the Swede notched four goals and four assists, was named the team’s Most Valuable Player for the season2, and perhaps most importantly, became an instant NYCFC-fan generated meme that the club capitalized on.3
Unfortunately, Anton’s 2021 season was cut short due to a devastating Achilles injury, but NYCFC’s Cup run would not have happened without the large impacts from the Swedish right back. While Deila abandoned building up through the fullbacks for more direct play to center forward Valentin Castellanos, Tinnerholm still averaged 0.13 assists, 1.88 passes into the penalty area, and 4.48 progressive passes per 90 minutes- good for the 75th, 95th, and 89th percentiles, respectively, in the league for all fullbacks.
Tinnerholm was the true representation of an overlapping fullback, but brought his own style to the conception. He didn’t hold the blazing speed that top attack-minded fullbacks often possess, yet always seemed to be in dangerous positions to help create chances. Anton even had an awkward presence on the ball, often looking like he was about to dribble away possession, only to beat his defender and send in a low cross to a runner in the box or beat the keeper to the far post with a quick release shot.
More than just the contributions measured by the box score and analytics nerds, Tinnerholm was a tenacious leader on the pitch and a friendly, calming presence off of it. Anton never backed down from a hard challenge from an opponent and always lit a fire under the team’s collective ass when necessary. He was also gracious and candid with the media and spent time interacting with fans and signing autographs. Tinnerholm’s leadership qualities even resulted in Deila selecting him as a vice-captain for the 2021 season.
With Tinnerholm’s return to his home country, NYCFC have a massive hole to fill both on and off the field for the upcoming season. Perhaps this year, Bronx-born Tayvon Gray takes a big step up or expensive youngster Mitja Ilenič brings a new quality to the right flank. But exactly how that all shakes out remains to be seen.
Gray is a 1v1 defensive stalwart but provides next to nothing offensively in the final third and is lackluster at best with his combination play in the build-up phase. Ilenič is thought to bring some speed and attacking prowess to the position, but is only 18 and an unknown quantity who will have to overcome the struggles that young foreign players have in their first year playing in a new country.
Head coach Nick Cushing will likely look to replace Tinnerholm by committee, with Gray and Ilenič rotating within the starting XI throughout the season. Cushing may also try to build the attack through the center with experienced midfielders Keaton Parks and Alfredo Morales finding the talented NYCFC attackers, or down the left flank with the latest signing of veteran left back Braian Cufre joining the club from La Liga side RCD Mallorca.
Cushing, similar to predecessor Ronny Deila, has shown a preference to switch the play when entering the final third. Building down the left and switching to the right can provide Gray and Ilenič space to attack opposing fullbacks 1v1 and allow them additional time to process and find runners.
No matter who is manning the right back for NYCFC, it won’t look the same without Tinnerholm donning the No.3 jersey in the Bronx, but we will be able to forever say that Anton Tinnerholm was good at soccer.❧
Image: Frank Dicksee, The Funeral of a Viking
Of players with 2000+ minutes. g+ data only goes back to 2013
The first player not named David Villa or Maxi Moralez to win Team MVP.
Editor’s Note: It was Chris