It's been some time since I put pen to paper talking Timbers; I want to offer my thanks to the guys on the Outer Roses Podcast for re-energizing my passion in watching and offering thoughts about Portland. I said this back in 2012 and it's worth repeating, the single greatest soccer stadium for atmosphere, in... Continue Reading →
@USSoccer #USMNT Nil – Jamaica 1. Same as it Ever Was
The United States Men's National Team played host to Jamaica yesterday with an expectation of seeing some new lads as well as playing the new identity Gregg Berhalter has supposed to be instilling. We saw new lads - but no new identity - same as it ever was. Here's my litany of observations for your... Continue Reading →
Gregg Berhalter to lead #USMNT?
After an exhausting period of time (almost un-ending) I'm pretty sure US Soccer will announce Gregg Berhalter as our next US Men's National Team Coach. Is this a good decision? Background: Earnie Stewart set the tone in Philadelphia by standardizing a system of play and directing the development of players (across the entire organization) to... Continue Reading →
Moneyball 3 Soccer Statistics – Major League Soccer (2014 to 2016 in Review)
Each year for the last two years I've offered some thoughts on current soccer statistics, their strengths and weaknesses, how current efforts are taking shape, and how English Premier League team statistics (in a limited measurement period) offer that one size / type of statistic doesn't show equally. Here's a link to those previous articles in case you missed... Continue Reading →
@MLS Total Soccer Index Power Rankings and More
The all star game happens this week so what better time to review where teams compare in the Total Soccer Index. After every team had played 17 games; (halfway through the season). Top team with 17 games in, points wise, was not Atlanta it was FC Dallas; Red Bulls of New York showed most consistency... Continue Reading →
What’s Different About #Portland @Timbersfc this Year?
Caleb Porter left Portland Timbers at the end of 2017. There were many rumors as to why that happened; I put (some) of my thoughts in writing here: Porter Pulls out of Portland I didn't include everything and still won't; what happens behind closed-doors should stay behind closed doors. But here's what I offered almost... Continue Reading →
Who wins #WorldCup2018?
This game is a clash of tactics and both teams have shown an ability to advance playing possession-based, counter-attacking or direct-attacking soccer. For me, this is all about which team can control the game (and win) playing "with" or "without" the ball. Here's how they've done so far. I categorize games where less than 45%... Continue Reading →
Total #Soccer Index #WorldCup 2018 Predictions for the Semi Finals
Coming into the Quarterfinals the Total Soccer Index had been 100% accurate in predicting the Knockout stage winners: When removing Cavani player performance, for Uruguay, prior to the Quarterfinals, the Total Soccer Index had been 100% accurate in predicting the quarterfinal winners: That ends up seeing the TSI being 12 for 12 in predicting... Continue Reading →
My #WorldCup2018 Predictions for the Quarterfinals
There is no doubt most pundits offer this as being the greatest World Cup ever, espousing upsets throughout the competition. I think the majority of those upsets are more about FIFA have a dodgy ceding process than how teams are really performing on the pitch. In tracking the odds on favorite to take the World... Continue Reading →
Major League Soccer and Possession with Purpose
Major League Soccer nears the All Star break and most teams have reached the mid-point in games played. From top to bottom here's the latest on MLS team performance in possession, passing accuracy, penetration, creation, precision, and finishing. Being the best in just one of those categories does not mean you are the best in... Continue Reading →
